History of Rocky Point Mexico (Puerto Penasco)
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History of Rocky Point Mexico (Puerto Penasco) Current 'Original' human arrival & habitation in the Northern & Southern 'Americas' pre-date current held beliefs of the 'Native Indians' by thousands of years. The discovery of human remains 'Kennewick Man' with almost European (Caucasiod) characteristics & tools that are far different than any ever found at Indian excavations are now being documented from the U.S. to Chile in South America. Still no link between 'Kennewick Man' and any existing human race on earth has been found. It is believed that first inhabitants came in small groups from across the Pacific & Atlantic oceans. The recent finds are so controversial that the U.S. Government seized the human remains found in the United States, and have denied even the Smithsonian Institute access or research of them. Later, during and after the last ice age small Asian (Mongoloid) groups speaking vastly different languages passed through what is now Russia & China crossing over the 'land/ice' bridge (often just huge floating sheets of ice) between what is now Russia & Alaska. The vast difference in languages suggests they were from vastly different cultures. These 'migrants' pursued food sources, wider hunting ranges, open/uncrowded lands to settle into, and continued migrating for thousands of years through what is now Alaska, Canada, United States, Mexico, and South America. The groups sometimes discovered as they traveled south that this 'new' land did not always support such groups. From this 'splintering off' may have occurred. Approximately 20,000 years ago in the 'Ajo Valley' and continuing to Puerto Peñasco nomadic tribes& their more adventurous members started a 'trading zone' along these routes. Regular encampments, tools, etc have been found all along the hills/mountains that run from Ajo to the Sea. Found in these sites are materials from tribes far to the north ,and south of the area. During these times the area supported many plants, animals, and water sources that have long since disappeared from the landscape. During these times the Puerto Peñasco area (built on the heavy salt/calcium-'Caliche' in the sands 'Aeolian sand dunes'-making planting difficult) , and specifically the rock caves in what is now the 'Old Town' section supported a sizeable Native 'community'. The downtown mountain nicknamed the 'Whale' has long acted as a magnet for the different cultures that have settled there. Archeological studies of the area seem to indicate this was a great gathering place for many different tribes, who during their visit remained peaceful with each other during their many,and sometimes lengthy visits of 'commerce'. Between 700-1500 AD the warm gulf waters supported abundant sea life attracting Hohokam indians from as far away as present day Phoenix, Arizona to get fish, salt, and trade goods. Their trading with the local & often nomadic Pina Cateño & Areñero indians is proven archeologically. After the 'Conquest' of the Aztec Empire by Spain in the 1520's in what's now Mexico City, the 'new' country's leaders, explorers ventured ever father north, and south of the new capital. On the sea, by horse, and afoot it was just a matter of time until the Spanish Military Forces 'discovered' the Sea of Cortez - and it's many coves - as well as the few natural harbors. In 1698 Padre Kino met these Peñasco 'hunting & gathering' people he called 'The people of the sand.' They were related to the Papago tribe, and both practiced cannibalism. Kino continued his frequent visits to Puerto Peñasco. His diary backed by historical records show his tireless work teaching Penasco's local indians many skills, including the business of pearl diving. Peñasco's rich natural pearl beds were 'untouched' & Kino wasted no time in claiming them in the name of God. His religious orders 'charter' allowed them to keep certain amounts of 'resources' found in Mexico, with the balance to be send back to the King of Spain. A continued rift built up over this 'distribution' finally leading to Spain's King Carlos to 'Expell' all of the 'Jesuit order' from the entire 'New World.' His documents indicate members of the local tribal community were tall, thin, wrapped in animal/fish skins, having striking features, and practicing cannibalism. Large mounds of very old oyster shells(indicating the age of Peñasco's Indian settlement)were observed in hundreds of spots throughout the area. Kino's news of minerals in the area, soon reached Mexico City, then as far away as Spain, setting off a 'Gold Rush' that saw adventurous miners & explorers prospecting from Peñasco, up to what is now Ajo, Arizona. Soon numerous gold ,and silver operations were started up,and began returning profits. In the 1700's Spanish Army Lt. Diez, and his mounted detachment did a survey of the area on their way to California. The natural springs at what is now the south end of Organ Pipe National Monument was a well documented wayside stop for visitors through the area. These springs are still considered 'Sacred' by local Native Indians on both sides of the border. Notable travelers such as Father Kino noted the springs in his diary during his trips through the area, and while setting up the Mission in Sonoyta. (Today only a part of it's adobe wall remains) Spain's fortified harbor at Matzatlan ,and the ships at anchor there soon allowed easier access to the entire Sea of Cortez area, and coincided with the rise in pirate activity in the gulf. Admiralty records in Spain list a few of the 'skirmishes' fought during this time period, and list the Puerto Peñasco area as 'Ye Likesly Spot 'O Treachry & Villeanous Skum', The records go on to mention 'Privateers' in the Sea of Cortez"Doin Biddin Ye Francia Y Englash Devils O' Hell." Spain around these times had a very uneasy truce in Europe with its old arch enemies of France and England. Secretly the leaders of both countries vowed to get their hands on the 'riches the Spanish Galleons' returning to Europe so overloaded with the bounty of the 'New World'(Gold,Silver,Gems) In order to forward their desires, and to 'help' relieve Spain of the 'burden' of having to deal with such treasures, many leaders secretly hired captains, men, and outfitted ships. The orders were simple and clear, "Bring back the Spanish Treasures" how yee do it ,Tis of no concern to us! By the early 1800's, Spain's standing as the richest nation in Europe had faded, steadily drained by continual wars of the time. It's ability to maintain & influence their 200 year old colonial empire in Mexico was also declining. In Mexico, discontent had been growing for many years and the revolution's sparks finally ignited in the hours just before the sunrise on September 16, 1810. The Mexican Priest Miguel Hidalgo suddenly became it's first leader that morning when he told his indian and mestizo church members. "Viva Mexico!", ordered all Spanish citizens arrested, then issued the "El Grito de Dolores" (A formal Declaration of Independence from Spain). Hidalgo quickly assembled a peasant army of indian and mixed blood volunteers armed with little more than clubs, axes, slings, knives, and machetes, against the Spanish artillery cannons. Their intense hatred, which quickly turned into a class struggle, spurred them on to successfully fight several winning battles against Spanish troops, and their supporters for almost a year. The 'Priest General', almost 60 years old, was captured in 1811,and beheaded in the town's main square. His head was left up on a pole, to intimidate other supporters of independence. (Hidalgo who was college educated had earlier attracted the Spanish governments attention by illegally teaching the indians how to plant trees, grapevines, and manufacture pottery- leather goods. Upon hearing the priest was educating indian men with skills, the Spanish Viceroy in Mexico City ordered all of Hidalgo's trees and plants cut down, and their roots dug up & destroyed.) By 1813 another group called the 'Mexican Patriots of Chilpancingo' had also formally declared Independence from Spain's rule. Another Priest, Jose Morelos took over as the revolution's leader. But, he was also eventually captured, and Spanish troops beheaded him in 1815. Leaders,& battles came and went during the 11 years of war, until finally in the afternoon of August 1821 General Agustin de Iturbide and a sizeable army of revolutionary forces entered Mexico City. The Spanish Viceroy Juan O'Donoju was arrested, and on August 24th was forced to sign the 'Treaty of Cordoba' which ended the war, and recognized Mexico's independence from Spain. Taking power, General Iturbide proclaimed himself 'Emperor of Mexico' on May 18,1822 ,calling himself 'Agustin the 1st'. Mexico's newly formed Congress ratified and 'crowned' the new 'Emperor' on the 23rd of June,1822 in a lavish ceremony. The 'New Emperor' then officially created the "Order of the Guadalupe' for those who had fought with courage in the revolution. However, the political opposition, which favored a constitutional government lead by a president, opposed his ideas vigorously. By October 31,1822 the new 'Emperor' was forced by his opposition rivals, lead by General Santa Ana, to dissolve the Mexican Congress. On December 6,1822 General Santa Ana proclaimed Mexico a Republic and assumed power with the support of the opposition. Then one month later on January 24,1823 General Santa Ana openly incited rebellion against any & all vestiges of the 'Emperor' citing a new plan called the, "Casa Mata". March 19,1823 the 'Emperor' re-instated the Mexican Congress, and abdicated his position. Fearing for their lives the 'Emperor' and his family then made their way to the harbor at Veracruz, and sailed on to Italy with the afternoon tide, March 29,1823(He & his family went on to live in Italy & England until 1824).