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In
centuries past, the California peninsula was
inhabited by tribes of natives, notably the Pai
Pai, Cochimi, Kiliwa, Cucupa and Kumiai. The
Kumiai settled in the area we now know as Rosarito
naming it UACUATAY (which translates to "the big
house"). Traces of their everyday life such as
arrowheads, stone kitchen utensils, mortars, etc.,
have been discovered. These artifacts provide a
rich source of information regarding their
lifestyles and the first stage in Rosarito's
evolution. Today, in the area of San Jose de la
Zorra just 30 kilometers east of La Mision Village,
descendants of the Kumiai can still be found.
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The
second stage in Rosarito's evolution, referred to
as the "Misional", began with the arrival of the
Spaniards in 1533. So named because it marked the
establishment of missions throughout the peninsula
and the evangelization of the native tribes, a
total of 28 missions were founded by the Jesuit,
Dominican and Franciscan monks in what we now know
as Baja California. The Palou Frontier was
established in 1773 as the dividing line between
Nueva (new) or Alta (upper) California and Antigua
(old) or Baja (lower) California. In 1788, the De
Sales Frontier was established and the boundary
between the two Californias was relocated to the
site of the Rosarito Creek.
The
third stage in Rosarito's history began with the
establishment of the big Ranchos. The property of
El Rosarito Ranch, granted to Don Jose Manuel
Machado on 1825, stands out as the first in the
area. Subsequently his son, Joaquin Machado,
applied for title to the land to then President
Porfirio Diaz, and, on May 14th, 1885, title was
granted and registered in la Ensenada de Todos los
Santos, then capitol city of Baja California. May
14 is now recognized and celebrated as Rosarito's
Foundation Day by the Historical Society of
Rosarito.
The
fourth stage of Rosarito's history is known as the
"Touristic". It began with the establishment of
Rene's in 1925 and the Rosarito Beach Hotel in
1926. Rosarito has been visited by tourists since
1874 (Source: San Diego Union), attracted by
hunting (dear, quail and rabbit) and fishing (lobster,
abalone).
The
"Ejidal" and fifth stage in Rosarito's history
began with the inception of Ejidos (common land
for farming) when, on August 17, 1930, General
Lazaro Cardenas, then President of Mexico, issued
a resolution granting 4,671 hectares (over 10,000
acres) of land to a community of local farmers
known as Ejido Mazatlan.
The
beginnings of urbanization in 1950 marks the sixth
stage in Rosarito's development with the planning
and construction of streets and city blocks. As
land sales soared, coupled with the construction
of small restaurants, some shops and two hotels,
the city began to take shape.
In
the 1960's Rosarito entered the commercial/industrial
era with the construction of a huge thermoelectric
power plant and the later installation of Pemex,
the Mexican Gas Company.
This
seventh stage in Rosarito's evolution was marked
with further construction and the development of
shopping centers as more restaurants and shops
were established along the main street. This
street has been renovated and enlarge to encompass
four lanes and a lighted meridian strip and, in
1989, was officially designated Boulevard Benito
Juarez. During the seventies and early eighties,
Rosarito's growth was moderate but constant. The
mid-eighties, however, were marked with the strong
development of tourist related businesses of
obviously considerable investment. Available hotel
rooms in Rosarito are up from 350 to over 2000 now.
In
the early 1990's appreciable economic growth was
achieved by the construction and completion of
numerous hotels, condominiums and shopping centers.
On December 1, 1995, Rosarito became the fifth
Municipality (county) of the State of Baja
California, this being the eight stage of the
history of Rosarito.
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