CLUB'S BLOG
Join us as we uncover the pivotal moments and enduring legacies that have shaped the vibrant identity of Los Cabos. We delve deeper as we journey through time, a new socioeconomic era unfolded in the early 19th century. With a drastic decline in the native population, Spanish immigrants, miners, merchants, and sailors emerged as prominent figures in the landscape. Against this backdrop, the Mission of San José del Cabo transformed, shifting its focus towards agricultural and livestock endeavors. By 1824, it began to serve as a town hall, and later, in 1830, San José del Cabo became a town, as described in the decree by Governor Mariano Monteverde.
During the war between Mexico and the United States, from 1846 to 1848, the U.S. Navy invaded and raised its flag on Baja California soil. Mauricio Castro Cota, a notable native of San José del Cabo and political leader in Baja California Sur, defended the territory. On the night of November 19, 1847, in San José del Cabo, Lieutenant José Antonio Mijares, Vicente Mejía and José Matías Moreno battled against the platoon commanded by Lieutenant Charles Heywood.
During one of the most significant battles in the territory, José Antonio Mijares was seriously wounded and later lost his life. Ultimately, the invasion of the California peninsula ended months after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed.
From 1920 to 1940, San José del Cabo experienced a golden age and entered the modern era. It increased its population, and the livestock and agriculture industries, as well as the maritime trade, regained their strength.
The construction of the road to La Paz took place in 1920, followed by the road to Cabo San Lucas in 1927. Moreover, the restorations made to the City Hall Tower and the Town Square, which were affected by the 1918 hurricane, helped the façade of the Historic Downtown to regain its original beauty.
In 1925, the La Voz del Sur store, located in front of the City Hall, became the second Ford agency for Model T and Model A cars in Mexico. By the 1930s, tomato production and exports, mainly to the United States, were consolidated. These activities were the driving force behind economic development during the golden age.
However, this period of prosperity went into crisis due to natural disasters, the drop in the price of tomatoes, and the increase in maritime freight costs caused by World War II.
Reaching the middle of the century, economic activities took a new direction. In 1952, the first hotel in the region, Casa O’Fisher, opened its doors, offering sport fishing services as its main activity. In 1956, the Palmilla Hotel began operations hosting American artists, businesspeople, and politicians.
In the 1960s, the population of San José del Cabo kept growing. Public services such as health, electricity, and potable water systems increased and improved considerably, as did land communication routes. Education also progressed with the inauguration of the Antonio Mijares High School facilities. Meanwhile, in the tourism sector, the first sport fishing tournaments were held at the Palmilla Hotel and other hotels in Cabo San Lucas.
In 1971, San José del Cabo embarked on a new chapter as a Delegation of the municipality of La Paz, heralding the dawn of a tourism-driven economic model. This transformative era saw the realization of key infrastructure projects, including the construction of the Benito Juárez Transpeninsular Highway in 1972 and the inauguration of the Los Cabos International Airport in 1977.
As the seventies progressed, the National Tourism Fund spearheaded the development of Los Cabos as an Integrally Planned Center, propelling San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas into the forefront of international tourism. A pivotal moment arrived in 1980, with the establishment of the municipality of Los Cabos, positioning San José del Cabo as its municipal seat—a testament to its enduring significance in the region's history. These milestones serve as poignant reminders of the diverse cultural tapestry that has shaped the identity of San José del Cabo and the broader municipality of Los Cabos since its inception.
Today, Downtown San José serves as a vibrant hub for tourists and locals alike, offering a plethora of activities to enjoy. Its art galleries showcase a diverse array of works from both local and international artists, housed within charming old buildings that add to the area's unique charm and ambiance, enhancing the overall experience for visitors.