History of Punta Banda

Punta Banda history, 1887 to now
Compiled by Tillie Foster (a longtime resident of P.B.)

ENSENADA, PUNTA BAND- EARLY HISTORY 1887 - 1890 (A brief history with portions of notes taken from articles in the Overland Tours monthly in the year 1890 and Terra Vol 29 by D.Chaput in 1990)

The wonderful progress made, in the late 1800's, in the settlements of Southern California, US, actually directed attention to the lower California, without much regards four boundary lines. The investigative report was so encouraging that a Company of capitalists was formed, comprised of leading citizens of both the US and Mexico. They proceeded to acquire title to 18 million acres of land in Lower California (Baja)

The Association was called The International Company of Mexico, who in building railroads and steamship line along the coast and opening several ports of entry, directed attention to a region of land that has been isolated for ages. The Mexican Steamship line runs to Ensenada, leaving San Diego Monday Wed & Friday at 7 PM, returning the following day. Fares $5.00 one way , round trip $7.50.

The vast region of country included many lovely valleys and climate, equal to any portion of the Pacific slope.

Ensenada was the first town laid out and colonized and in 1887 had a 1400 population, one half of them were Americans. The town is situated on the coast at the northern end of the crescent shaped bay of Todos Santos.

PUNTA BANDA was another new place - It is situated on the south end of the Todos Santos bay. The promontory is 5 miles in length and from 1 to 4 miles wide. Its maximum height is about 2000 ft, gradually sloping to the bay on the north, but has perpendicular cliffs on the south side.

That old veteran, Major Gabriel Erb, of the Walker House, Salt Lake City, and his associates, in 1887, owned about 5.000 acres of land on which was Punta Banda, including the famous hot springs.

In 1887, a pier was build in front of the town of Ensenada which was to be called on by a regular steamship line from San Diego to Ensenada. The "Hotel Erb", planed to be build, near the Hot springs, would be a marvel in Architecture. Out of the 600 rooms, all were to be outside rooms.

The country in the vicinity of Punta Banda, was claimed to be the richest and most productive on the pacific coast. The hot springs, near the planed site of the Hotel would add to the value as a tourist attraction, as well, as the famous water blowhole, know as "La Bufadora"

Major Erb did start his hotel in the Spring of 1887. To bolster the tourism health angle the major hired a. prominent Chicago chemist to test the waters of Punta Banda's hot Springs. With newspaper advertisements of the Gloria of the hot springs were extolled to all the world as loaded with calcium, various sodium's and declared as exceeding richness and one of the strongest waters ever analyzed.

Erb's dream was to make his hotel the finest on the pacific coast and possibly the continent. His enthusiasm grew from the belief among the Investors of the INTERNATIONAL COMPANY, that there was an ideal coming together of the many political, financial and transportation developments.

With all the natural advantages of a good harbor, ideal climate, healthy hot springs. The abundance of fish in the bay. PLUS the plans for a railroad, meant that the Punta Banda Project would actually be a major tourist development.

The Major started his hotel, but soon found that Local resources were inadequate for this tremendous structure of 600 rooms. He turned to San Francisco for the plans and to Oregon for the lumber, but the year 1888 provided a series of serious setbacks to Major Erb as well as to the entire Baja California development.

The 'International Company' collapsed and was reborn as the 'Mexican Land Colonization' under the direction of Captain Buchanan Scott who tried to save the corporation. Another extreme setback in 1888 was the publications from Mexico City by an opposition Politician, who saw the entire International Company, as anty Mexican, to populate all of Baja with Yankees in preparation for annexation to the U.S.

But the most disastrous series of event, that killed Erb's dream, was the collapse of the land railroad, The Baja California peninsular could not escape from the fallout. The period from 1888 1890 was a time of survival and not development. The gold rush at 'El Alamo', 60 miles Inland from Ensenada, saved that community from ruin, but the population decreased greatly and most of the foreigners left the peninsular.

PUNTA BANDA eventually did get telegraph connections and a fairly good wagon road from Maneadero to the Hot Srings, and once in a while a visitor would come to soak in the hot springs and drink the local calcium drinks in the interest of health.

PUNTA BANDA in the 2000's, is still relatively untouched, and is one of the most beautiful regions in Baja California. The bay is still a fisherman's paradise. The unpolluted calm waters have made Todos Santos Bay and the Punta Banda area one of the most desirable areas for recreation and retirement. To date there are over 500 families from various parts of the US. and Canada who call Punta Banda home.

Contrary to the belief of that politician in 1888, Punta Banda was not annexed to the US. The entire Peninsular is similar to the Bay of Monterey, and to some it reminds them of the Mediterranean coast and to others it reminds than of Maui Hawaii.

There still is almost of 9,000 acres of habitable land, some of which faces the bay and on the other side the Pacific Ocean.

There are several family owned and run beach camps that are perennial favorites for the many foreign visitors that are attracted to the area for its serenity and beauty. The hot Springs on the beach are easily accessible at low tide, and a delight to find. Digging only an inch down let the thermal waters rise. Your own private hot tub (a little sandy) but for at least 4 hours, until the Incoming tide slowly fills in the hole. Lie there, look at the sky and enjoy the peace and serenity that surrounds you in Punta Banda until the next time. If you look really hard, walking on the beach you may find a trace of the railroad line from 1880. 2 rusty tracks hidden under the sands of time.