CABO SAN LUCAS HISTORY

Cabo San Lucas First Explorations

Thousands of years ago, the territory that is known as Cabo San Lucas, was occupied by nomadic tribes of the Pericue people. In 1539, Francisco de Ulloa, who was at the time Hernan Cortez’ navigator, discovered the Sea of Cortez and several expeditions were led by Hernan Cortez in these waters looking for gold and pearls.

Thus, the Pericues were forced to fight against a Spanish invasion and the region became a center of conflict. Numerous pirates started using the cape as a hideaway to ambush the galleons, the Spanish ships that sailed from Acapulco to the Phillippines with Mexican gold and silver.

The Colonization of Cabo San Lucas

In 1587, Thomas of Cavendish, a British pirate looted a powerful galleon, and King Philip II of Spain decided to begin colonization of California to protect the Spanish ships. The Spanish soldiers and Jesuit missionaries had to struggle in the inhospitable environment, but in 1697 they prevailed and the first permanent Spanish settlement, a Jesuit mission, was established on the Peninsula.

More colonies were built along Baja. In 1730, Jesuit Padre Nicolas Tamaral founded a mission, Jose del Cabo, to the north. Years later, Padre Tamaral and some followers were slaughtered by the Pericue natives, what is commemorated to these days in a mosaic in the church of San Jose.

Cabo San Lucas Development

With the time, Cabo San Lucas became a fishing town, and started growing as one. However, in the 1930’s the area was still isolated and it was only accessible by small planes.

After World War II, Cabo San Lucas was discovered by some Hollywood actors and an afflux mainly of celebrities, who had their own yachts and planes, began flocking the place. In 1950, Bing Crosby, Phil Harris, Desi Arnaz, and the Duke built the elite hotel Las Cruces on the East Cape

The more than a thousand mile- long transpeninsular highway was completed in 1974 and Cabo San Lucas became connected with the U. S. border. Then, Cabo San Lucas commenced to receive funds from foreign investors and the Mexican tourist agency, Fonatur.

In the 1980’s Cabo San Lucas witnessed the development of a 380-slip marina and the construction of the international airport at San Jose. Cabo San Lucas has not stopped growing ever since, to become the Cabo San Lucas of our days, a land of enchantment with world-class developments and unique historical and natural heritages.