Imperial Valley press., 1930-09-27

interesting account of the trip IT
Gently taken by Attorney Harry "
Horton. of this city, through til
peninsula of Lower California, an
gives an idea of road conditions /
that interesting country.
September IS, 1881
Edgar Bros. Co., Ford Store.
Attention, Mr.. w. O. Hinderks.
1872 Main Street,
FL Centre, Cal.
{ Dear Hinderks:
No doubt by this time you have
heard Il great many stories and re
j ports of vacation trips, but l though
4 YOU might be interested in tril
/ | lust completed down to the soutt
/ end of the peninsula of Lower Cali
fornia, Mexico, and return, and u
particular in the record kept of tn,
performance of the Ford coupe II
which the trip was made.
Crossing the boundary line al
Mexicali the road through the noun
tains to Ensenada was taken instead
of the route by way of Tijuana
From Ensenada we followed the west
coast of the peninsula to Rosario
an old mining town little over 2ou
miles south of Ensenada. From 10
sario a route east into the noun
tains TO the onyx mines at MarmoI
was followed. From this point a
southerlv direction was taken
through the mountains until the
west coast was again reached at a
point about 450 miles south of En-
senada, known as Miller's landing
After following the coast for n
few miles we then turned east into
the mountains and, proceeding in a
south -easterly direction. we reached
San Ignacio. This pueblo is famous
for its beauty and is historically IA
nous because of its Mission, which
was established in 1928. This Mis-
sion is still in very good condition
and in use. -,
San Ignacio is a little over 90
miles south from Ensenada and in
the highest part of the mountains
and about midway between the gull
and west coast. After spending 4
dav enioving ourselves at this oasis
we went on east to the gulf and
then south to the town of Santa no
salia. This town is and has been foi
more than 40 years center OF th'
operati9ns of the French company
known as F. Boleo. There they have
mined and smelted copper for many
wears and estimate that they nave
sufficient supply of ore to continue
operati9ns for a. least 5o years
more. Several thousand men are EN-
ploved continuously.
Proceeding south along the gull
we came to Mulego, pueblo witt
beautiful harbor running lnianC
from the coast, some three miles, II
the town itself. There we prepare'
for the most difficult stretch OF ou
trip. The road from Mulege follow
| the west shore of Conception BAY
for some 40 odd miles. This stretcl
of road is very scenic and beautiful
as the mountains are very rugge'
along the shore line and the road a
! times will be down on very whlt
and firm sandy beach and agall
MANY feet directly above the shor
of the bay and among the peaks an
cliffs. where a wonderful view l
lad. Leaving the south end Of tn
bav, the road proceeds west aeros
the mountains. | have seen som
rocky and rough country and road'
but worlds of credit is due to III
energy and industry of those /
charge of the Southern District o
Lower California for having com
pleted and opened up the roa
through these mountains. For som
/ 80 miles the road is either Just Gu
out of rock or built upon a contlnu
Gus pile of rocks. We came upo
this section during tropical summe
rain, or rather-stOrm-and the roa
became washed out in many places
However, with the aid of the Mex
can soldiers stationed in this locailty
repairs were soon made and we wer
able to proceed to San Jose de C(
mundu. This town is in the mour
tains on the west slope and som
80 miles from the Pacific Ocean. !
is a beauty spot and historically in
portant. The Mission there wa
established in l70S and, while partl
in ruins, still gives ample evidenc
of its massiveness and the beauty o
the structure as built. It is bull
entirely of massive stones.
From San Ignacio to Comundu
distance of approximately 20
miles.
The largest jump on the entir
trip was then taken, from Comund
to La Paz, being 244 miles withou
intervening towns. We loaded u
with plenty of gas and started ou
Of the mountains and soon reachc
the mesas near the Pacific Ocean
The road then proceeds south alon
the coast line paralleling the same
Between the road and coast serie
of lagoons some SO miles in lcngt
extend to the south until Magdalen
Bay is reached. This bay is abou
midway between Comundu and l.
Paz. The lagOOns and bay of Mas
dalena furnish a paradise for hum
ers and fishermen.
South Of Magdalena Bay, for som
-0 ,,i1oo yLo yoad folloEs very clos