Esteban Cantu photograph album

MS 244
Image
Distrito Norte de la Baja California

Photo album

Collection dates: circa 1915-1920

About this collection

Commemorative photograph album, 10 1/2" x 15", titled Distrito Norte de la Baja California Al Sr. Lic. Manuel Aguirre Berlanga subsecretario de Estado y encargado del Despacho del Interior, celebrating the construction of a national highway in what would later become the state of Baja California, from Mexicali to Tijuana to Ensenada and honoring Governor Esteban Cantu for his contribution. The large photographs document the industries, roads, and public buildings on the route in the towns of Mexicali, Tecate, Tijuana, and Ensenada as well as groups of school children, leading citizens and festivities honoring Governor Cantu.

Included are photographs of street scenes, hospitals, police departments, railroads, streets and houses. There are images of cotton fields, mills, and workers, cowboys and a charreando, irrigations works, and road construction. Also present are images of school groups, banquets and fiestas, and horse racing in Tijuana.

Historical background

Governor of Baja California, then referred to as the Northern District of Baja California, Esteban Cantu served from 1915 to 1920. During his tenure as governor, he initiated major public works projects including roads, government buildings, and schools. One of those projects was the construction of a national road from Mexicali through Tijuana to Ensenada.

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