BajaNomad

Histories of Los Cabos

BajaAnthro - 2-22-2012 at 07:18 PM

Does anyone have some good recommendations for books, articles, etc that explore the histories of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo? I am particularly interested in some of the early histories of the place, and also some more details about how it was transformed into the tourism destination that it is today. I am working on learning more about some of the regional histories of BCS, but don't have a lot of details about the histories of Los Cabos. Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions!!!

vacaenbaja - 2-22-2012 at 07:41 PM

For the earliest recorded notations of the Los Cabos area
yoou can check out the varuous diaries of: pirates ships
that stopped by to rob, restock or both; US Navy ships that
patrolled and landed there to make a military presence
during the war with Mexico. Naturalist John Xantus stayed
at Cabo for some time collectring specimens.
Also John Steinbecks Sea of Cortez (Circa 1936) mentions
Cabo San Lucas as they found it back then. If you keep an eye out on the Historic Interests& Literature section , perhaps I can post some examples.

David K - 2-23-2012 at 09:35 AM

The Unforgettable Sea of Cortez by Gene Kira shows the build up of Baja from 1947 to 1977.

bufeo - 2-23-2012 at 09:48 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaAnthro
Does anyone have some good recommendations for books, articles, etc that explore the histories of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo? I am particularly interested in some of the early histories of the place, and also some more details about how it was transformed into the tourism destination that it is today. ...


The Northeastern Nevada Museum in Elko had two older books in their shop a couple of weeks ago that fit your perameters. Sorry I can't remember the titles. Seems to me one was printed ~1970s and the other was older.

Here's a link to the museum's web site: http://www.museumelko.org/

Allen R

P.S. I don't think those Cabo books are listed in their Gift Shop's inventory on the web. You'll probably have to phone or e-mail them.

[Edited on 2-23-2012 by bufeo]

bajajudy - 2-23-2012 at 10:07 AM

"Baja Legends" is a great book about the modern pioneers of Baja.

BajaAnthro - 2-23-2012 at 10:19 AM

Thanks for the suggestions so far! Much appreciated!

Vaca: do you know of any of the titles of the diaries you mention? I have heard about some of these, but haven't really started to track them down. I have read Steinbeck's Log From the Sea of Cortez...some great details from when they passed through San Lucas and headed up around the cape.

David K: I just borrowed a copy of that book from a friend. I haven't really looked into it too deeply, so thanks for the reminder!

Allen: thanks for the link to the bookstore. I'll send them an email and see what they have up there.

One other theme that I am looking into is land--how the early land grants were given out here in the Cape Region, who owned what, and how the land changed hands over time. I have Crosby's "Antigua California" but I am not sure how deeply he covers those issues--I am in the early stages with some of this, as you can all probably tell, so I have a LOT of reading ahead of me. Thanks again for the help!

BajaAnthro - 2-23-2012 at 10:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajajudy
"Baja Legends" is a great book about the modern pioneers of Baja.


Thanks Judy!

vacaenbaja - 2-27-2012 at 03:33 PM

[Edited on 2-27-2012 by vacaenbaja]

vacaenbaja - 2-27-2012 at 03:42 PM

I have not had the chance to make the list of diaries of
the various people that have visited the Los Cabos area.
When I find the time I will post them.
However I can tell you that a lot of the land grants in that area were done by
President Benito Juarez. Here is an interesting link with lots of great photos
of the area. In the text portion you will read of a family by the name of Sandoval that lays claim to the Los Arcos area
by virtue of one of those Presidnetial grants.
http://www.cabolivingmag.com/peek/cabo-living-peek.pdf