the past...
History Guaymas, the pearl in the Sea of Cortez The
City... sea port... tourist destination... a place to stay and more Located in the southwestern part of the state of Sonora, it is a natural port. The island “Pájaros” (birds),which is1.5 miles long, acts as an effective breakwater to protect it, thus forming a bay with placid waters at all times of the year. This bay must have fascinated the jesuit missionaries who explored it in 1701, especially the restless fathers Juan María Salvatierra and Eusebio Kino. The first mission that they founded was named “San José de la Laguna” identifying the closest and safest point from which to send provisions to the missions in Baja California. GUAYMAS-SAN CARLOS Guide and Lifestyle 2009
But this first port on the bay was destroyed by the natives, a band of the Seri Indians named Guaimas. It wasn’t until August 31, 1769 that the Visitor from New Spain, don José de Gálvez, ordered that the first human settlement be established in that same place, but with the name of “San José de Guaymas”. This port presented serious difficulties. Being an estuary, the port was affected by the rise and fall of tides. The increase in commercial marine operations to this area, brought larger ships which were not always able to enter the port. It was necessary to re-establish the port in the deeper southwestern part of the bay. Thus, the “Villa de San Fernando de Guaymas” was originated - San Fernando in adulation of the King of Spain, Ferdinand VII. This was how the present day Port of “San Fernando de Guaymas” began to develop, and was officially declared a seaport in 1814. With these adversities, the colonists were able to gradually form their businesses, learning to live together with the Pima, Seri and
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especially the Yaqui Indians, whose work force was fundamental in all productive activities. By 1825, the “Villas” of “San José” and “San Fernando de Guaymas” formed one same municipality, although a few years later it was deemed necessary to separate both towns with their own authorities, due to the increase in their commercial activities. 27 years (1821-1848) were sufficient for the transformation of Villa de San Fernando de Guaymas from a wild and desolate place into a political entity with its own government. With the passing years, it has become a Port and City which heads one of the more important districts of the state. Since Guaymas, in the 19th century, was Sonora’s doorway, its inhabitants suffered many agressions from the pirates and from imperialistic nations. As a consecuence of the overpopulation of adventurers seeking their fortunes in gold in the city of San Francisco, California, many, seeing their hopes frustrated, turned their eyes Continues on Pag: 13