DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
Member Is Offline
Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
|
|
Mulege "When Did?"
The territorial prison close (the year?)
The electricity stay on 24/7?
The big ice house on ice house rd. open?
Danny Ortega close his bakery?
El Candil restaurant open?
Lavamatica Claudia open?
Hotel Borrego de Oro close?
CFE replace those twisted tree power lines with concrete posts between Sta Rosalia and Mulege?
The inexpensive (subsidized) ferry service to Guaymas stop?
Jeff Alvarado close restaurant "La Reina"?
The first reverse osmosis water plant go into operation?
The CONASUPO go out of business?
HAVE FUN!
I think I know some of the answers :-)
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65278
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
I believe #1 was when the paved Highway was built, ending Mulege's isolation... or very soon after? (ie. 1972-1974).
Borrego de Oro was the original name for the Hotel Punta Chivato. Photos of it under construction in 1966 are in Erle Stanley Gardner's book 'Off the
Beaten Track in Baja'. Dixon Collins was the buider, I recall...?
|
|
|
capt. mike
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8085
Registered: 11-26-2002
Location: Bat Cave
Member Is Offline
Mood: Sling time!
|
|
uh.....i think the Chivato hotel was built/developed by Lou Federico and Don Johnson, no?
its all in his book, "One Hell of a Ride".
don't recall Dixon Collins - but then again i don't recall much anyway... hahahah.
formerly Ordained in Rev. Ewing\'s Church by Mail - busted on tax fraud.......
Now joined L. Ron Hoover\'s church of Appliantology
\"Remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over....\"
www.facebook.com/michael.l.goering |
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65278
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by capt. mike
uh.....i think the Chivato hotel was built/developed by Lou Federico and Don Johnson, no?
its all in his book, "One Hell of a Ride".
don't recall Dixon Collins - but then again i don't recall much anyway... hahahah. |
Who knows for sure?
Here are the pages from Gardner's 1967 book:
I am pretty sure the photos were all taken early in 1966.
[Edited on 12-30-2011 by David K]
|
|
|
LancairDriver
Super Nomad
Posts: 1603
Registered: 2-22-2008
Location: On the Road
Member Is Offline
|
|
Was Dixon the one who married Otis Chandler's (owner if LA Times) ex wife and helped her spend her considerable take from the divorce settlement? If
so, he bankrolled Lou Federico's construction project of the hotel at Chivato after Lou lost control of the Hotel Mulege. Lou's book, "One Hell of a
Ride" has some interesting tales from this era. The airplane mentioned I believe was a Beechcraft Baron that was owned by Dixon.Lou has a story in the
book about Dixon making a short fishing trip over to the Pacific side ,and taxiing across some sand dunes and beating up the propellers. Not to be
delayed by such a minor event, he flew back to Mulege at dusk, and Lou thought he heard a loud helicopter arriving that turned out to be Dixon
returning with what was left of the propellers.
The book is a great read.
|
|
|
castaway$
Senior Nomad
Posts: 742
Registered: 7-31-2007
Location: Gold Hill, Oregon
Member Is Offline
Mood: Fish on!
|
|
El Candil or Scottys El Candil?
Live Indubiously!
|
|
|
capt. mike
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8085
Registered: 11-26-2002
Location: Bat Cave
Member Is Offline
Mood: Sling time!
|
|
interesting stuff DK.
lots of legends.
Don basically says "some" of the stuff in Lou's book is stretching the truth a bit.
Don worked across the rio at the old Club Aero before he and Nancy got the land and built the Serenidad.
formerly Ordained in Rev. Ewing\'s Church by Mail - busted on tax fraud.......
Now joined L. Ron Hoover\'s church of Appliantology
\"Remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over....\"
www.facebook.com/michael.l.goering |
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65278
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
In 1966, when my folks and I drove into Mulege from the north (doing our Tijuana to the tip by Jeep adventure), they met Don... and were quite
surprised that Johnson was an old neighbor of theirs in L.A. (before I was born).
|
|
|
KurtG
Super Nomad
Posts: 1211
Registered: 1-27-2004
Location: California Central Coast
Member Is Offline
Mood: Press On Regardless!!
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by DavidE
The territorial prison close (the year?)
The electricity stay on 24/7?
The big ice house on ice house rd. open?
Danny Ortega close his bakery?
El Candil restaurant open?
Lavamatica Claudia open?
Hotel Borrego de Oro close?
CFE replace those twisted tree power lines with concrete posts between Sta Rosalia and Mulege?
The inexpensive (subsidized) ferry service to Guaymas stop?
Jeff Alvarado close restaurant "La Reina"?
The first reverse osmosis water plant go into operation?
The CONASUPO go out of business?
HAVE FUN!
I think I know some of the answers :-) |
The prison was still open in 1975 when my kids and I lived in Mulege. One of our neighbors was a prisoner who spent the days with his family and went
back to the prison at night. As to 24/7 electricity it still doesn't have it but in theory it was 24/7 back in 74/75. Now the power outages are
fairly short but I remember the power going off for a week at a time back then. Seems like the Candil has always been there but certainly since the
early 80's. Pompano would probably be a better source for some of this info.
|
|
|
captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
Member Is Offline
Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
|
|
WOW,,more,more
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65278
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by captkw
|
okay, I/m back home and one great source for Baja facts is Greg Niemann's 2002 book: Baja Legends... on page 200 are the details of Punta Chivato...
Please add Greg's book to your Baja collection! Here is a small sample of the information inside:
Order from Greg, along with his other great books, at: http://www.gregniemann.com/
|
|
|
Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
Member Is Offline
Mood: Optimistic
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by DavidE
The territorial prison close (the year?)
The electricity stay on 24/7?
The big ice house on ice house rd. open?
Danny Ortega close his bakery?
El Candil restaurant open?
Lavamatica Claudia open?
Hotel Borrego de Oro close?
CFE replace those twisted tree power lines with concrete posts between Sta Rosalia and Mulege?
The inexpensive (subsidized) ferry service to Guaymas stop?
Jeff Alvarado close restaurant "La Reina"?
The first reverse osmosis water plant go into operation?
The CONASUPO go out of business?
HAVE FUN!
I think I know some of the answers :-) |
Hey, this is a fun and nostalgic quiz, DavidE , glad you made it for us.
It's also a quiz where I happen to know the answers, but they were far too easy for me. I was present ...and relatively alert....when most all those
events happened and I knew/know all the people involved. I wouldn't spoil the fun of the guesses to come...as I love these historical quizes, too.
Wait...One I 'will' answer now is:
the Second question:
The electricity stay on 24/7?
Answer: Never...if fails constantly. (A slight exaggeration, yes.....but very slight.)
Was out for 14 hours last week...No, not a record. 
No answers, but Here are some anecdotes from those times.
The territorial prison close (the year?)
I was at the Serinadad the night when two unruly stateside drunks left in a taxi, which took them into town..where eventually they got into an
altercation with the driver, who was roughed up pretty good. The two drunks were arrested and thrown into a cell at the old prison, handcuffed and
foot-shackled. They spent mucho tiempo there (many months) before being sent off to Mexico City..where the federal judge sentenced them to 6 years at
hard labor. Too harsh? No...justice was served and a harsh example to others was set.
This was a wee bit 'before' 2011. 
The electricity stay on 24/7?
Hah...that one I already answered, and everybody else living in Mulege will concur, I'm sure.
The big ice house on ice house rd. open?
I recall buying my first huge block of ice there...two filled a coffin we had built for an amigo to be transported a little ways....cost about 6
pesos or 75 cents (12.5 MP to 1 USD). I have some old photos of the interior works from back then...and the smell of ammonia almost made me pass
out. Mixing drinks with the chopped ice was mandatory...and you had to get used to the salty taste....kind of like a Baja Rite of Passage. To this
day I sometimes add a grain of salt to certain drinks...cuz it brings back those old memories.
Danny Ortega close his bakery?
Ah, Danny!...I liked Danny a lot and vice versa..we were very good friends....I well remember his propane burns, having boatdrinks, and miss his
voice and presence when he was fishing in his favorite spot out by The Mine...in his Luhrs cabin cruiser We would raft up a few boats and talk about
our fishing....and 'other things' we all liked. He made very good bread and a few great birthday cakes for mi corazon...Bon Voyage, Danny, wherever
you are cruising.
El Candil restaurant open?
The original...A long, long time ago...back then the Martinez operators were a bit different and had ties to other enterprises. Mateo (Matt,
wounded ex-Navy Bay of Pigs fiasco vet) became fast friends with the clan and helped the family out by overseeing the renovation and remodeling of the
older and decrepid place. Matt's father died in Arizona about this time and left a considerable amount to Matt. Being Matt, he donated a hefty sum
(well over 50 grand US) to repair, brighten up, and re-open the 'new' El Candil. He was also a great saloon decorator/artist and his sense of style
and character is still evident to this day. (Would be nice to see some momento of him today..but nada..a little sad, but us oldtimers remember him
for all the community donations he made. A true Baja legend and affecianado.)
I once asked him.. Why so generous, Matt?
He said..'Hell, I've always wanted a place to go for a free beer.' Nuff said...and I understood his feelings. He made the El Candil a happening
place after that re-opening. Mulege got a new nightclub and we all had many fun times during his lifetime. Sadly, Mateo had a heart attack on his
sailboat anchored in front of mi casa in 2005..and fell overboard. His lifeless body washed up near my seawall.
Knowing Matt's gruff side well, I believe he would have wanted me to cut him up for chum, but of course I couldn't do that. I had way too much squid
left in my freezer. Then again, he might have liked being stuffed and set on a stool in the Candil.
Lavamatica Claudia open?
Hmm...well, I used to trade that couple a fresh-caught cabrilla for doing my weekly laundry. The pavement still smelled fresh. The cabrilla were
everywhere...! ..and so were my clothes.
Hotel Borrego de Oro close?
As the government closure was related to allegations of a shady nature.... (smelling of perfume and gunpowder)... I know absolutely nothing and
have never visited that place in my entire life....unlike my twin brother. 
CFE replace those twisted tree power lines with concrete posts between Sta Rosalia and Mulege?
Most of those twisted beauties now adorn the railings and balconies of many homes built by Raul L. in the late 80's and 90's.
About the same time, my buddy, Jake, 'received' a few hundred metres of some excellent telegraph wire, that he used for a ham radio antenna setup he
had built for his mountain-side home behind and above me at Coyote Bay.
He was very proud of the time he contacted Tokyo on some very low power. He was thus...Ichi-ban. Seem to recall him saying 2 or 5 watts?, I forget.
Hey, back then I just shouted ......or lit up something smoky.
The inexpensive (subsidized) ferry service to Guaymas.
Ah, now that time and cheap transport I miss terribly. In the early 70's, I was often to be seen in my pickup camper w/boat...next to hundreds of
drivers and their rigs in Guaymas on the mainland, sll og ud lined up at the loading dock, eager to drive aboard the ferry which would drop us off in
Sta.Rosalia about 12 hours later. That is..God willing and the capitano was not being entertained too much....or if a wild wind came up. Note:
Never, I say Never, enter the cloisterd and stuffy steerage class salon on any ferry when making a rough crossing. Whoa...Pee-Yoo!
That ferry was the best way for me to reach Mulege back then..coming straigt south from my Dakota Baja...about 2200 miles. My ferry rate for a
full-bed, 1-ton pickup with 11.5 ft camper and 20ft boat behind was a whooping $50 US..and that included a 'stateroom.'
Hah..a ribald memory. Trouble was , that 'stateroom' was supposed to be a private room...but was usually 2 sets of bunkbeds..and that was slightly
embarrassing when the damn door opened, the overhead lights came on, and...WHOOPS!... some couple was staring wild-eyed when they spotted another
couple 'active in bed'.
Back then, a beautiful senorita named Evangelina ran the Guaymas ticket office. A little birdy at dinner one night told me her hobby was collecting
music boxes. I began collecting them, too..every year on the way from ND to Guaymas.
Thus, for some reason, when I showed up in the ticket line, she would motion me ahead of a lot irate-looking drivers. I would say out loud when
going up to Evangelina..
...'Thank God, It's about time, I've been outside waiting for 2 weeks now.' That saved me from mob violence many times.
"Gracias, mi novia."
Jeff Alvarado close restaurant "La Reina"?
Jeff and Lupe..don't forget Lupe. She was a gem. It was technically notin Mulege, though. It was a roadside cafe in Ejido San Lucas, closer to
Sta. Rosalia.....but hey, it's all the same neighborhood.  Got some classic old
photos of our sun-fried & crazy crew with that couple..both there and with Jeff's father Bill, at the PC hotel...(sshhh)..and Bill's other son,
too.
The first reverse osmosis water plant go into operation?
And welcome that water was! After a couple weeks of drinking it..and then taking a sip of the regular town tap water ..which we had been happy to
drink for the last 15 or so years...well, all I can say is..."We are ALL lucky to be alive!"
The CONASUPO go out of business?
It did!?!? Well, how about that? I'm still calling that grocery store behind the Fire Station the CONASUPO. Things just happen overnight around here...
Jeez...guess I had too much coffee...that was rather long. But it's your fault, DavidE...and I am way too nostalgic. Be looking forward to reading
all the answers.
[Edited on 12-31-2011 by Pompano]
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
|
|
|
Islandbuilder
Senior Nomad
Posts: 555
Registered: 11-9-2011
Location: nob
Member Is Offline
Mood: bewildered
|
|
Pompano,
I need to tell you that there isn't one of your posts that I don't read twice, and enjoy every word and picture. Thank you for such eloquent words and
beautiful pictures!
Thank you!
|
|
|
captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
Member Is Offline
Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
|
|
more
david & pompano many thank's,,me,,I love this stuff,,cus I love baja,,first drove down to cape alone at the ripe age of 17...my xmas,,present
for myself,, was gonna get a barbra eden blow up doll (cream of geni) but ,where can I order that book instead ?? do you have a libary of congress
#..and it's great for me,on this awsome sight, to find, some great baja desert rat's,to help fill in the blank's for a small mind ,such as
mine.....happy new year
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65278
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
Link to get book is posted below cover photo. also on my web site links to Baja authors.
|
|
|
captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
Member Is Offline
Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
|
|
DAVID K
hola,just found your viva baja site,,and now,, Im, gonna be late for work,,"work,,the curse of the fishing class" great site !! K&T
|
|
|
Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
Member Is Offline
Mood: Optimistic
|
|
Somebody must know at least a couple of DavidE's quiz questions?
Reposting:
Mulege "When Did?"
The territorial prison close (the year?)
The electricity stay on 24/7?
The big ice house on ice house rd. open?
Danny Ortega close his bakery?
El Candil restaurant open?
Lavamatica Claudia open?
Hotel Borrego de Oro close?
CFE replace those twisted tree power lines with concrete posts between Sta Rosalia and Mulege?
The inexpensive (subsidized) ferry service to Guaymas stop?
Jeff Alvarado close restaurant "La Reina"?
The first reverse osmosis water plant go into operation?
The CONASUPO go out of business?
HAVE FUN!
I think I know some of the answers :-)
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
|
|
|
Marc
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2802
Registered: 5-15-2010
Location: San Francisco & Palm Springs
Member Is Offline
Mood: Waiting
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
| Quote: | Originally posted by capt. mike
uh.....i think the Chivato hotel was built/developed by Lou Federico and Don Johnson, no?
its all in his book, "One Hell of a Ride".
don't recall Dixon Collins - but then again i don't recall much anyway... hahahah. |
Who knows for sure?
Here are the pages from Gardner's 1967 book:
I am pretty sure the photos were all taken early in 1966.
[Edited on 12-30-2011 by David K] |
Was there in '09
[Edited on 12-31-2011 by Marc]
[Edited on 12-31-2011 by Marc]
|
|
|
watizname
Senior Nomad
Posts: 792
Registered: 8-7-2009
Member Is Offline
|
|
Great Thread. I love this stuff.
|
|
|
DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
Member Is Offline
Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
|
|
Can this thread be made part of a "nostalgia" group? A lot of this info is unique and I sure would hate to see it get buried.
|
|
|
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
