History of La Paz, Baja California Sur
La Paz has celebrated its 400th anniversary and has a rich history as one of the oldest settlements in Baja Sur.
It is known that man inhabited California as early as 10,000 B.C. These earliest inhabitants, of which very few traces are left, were nomadic people comprised of fishermen and gatherers who lived collecting seeds, roots, and berries; protecting themselves from the elements under trees and in caves. Vestiges of these cultures are found in cave paintings, now protected and considered a Heritage of Humanity. Several of these paintings are located only a short distance from the city of La Paz.
It was on May 3rd, 1535, that Hernan Cortéz first arrived at what is now
La Paz, naming it Villa de la Santa Cruz. Cortéz mounted the first of many attempts to conquer the Peninsula, but after several years of efforts the expeditions failed due to lack of food and water as well as the occasional ferocious attacks by natives. California has always resisted being conquered by force. Only the missionaries succeeded, utilizing spiritual force to tame this land, as well as those who came to work it.
The surrounding waters of La Paz were first named the Bermejo Sea, due to the changing colors of the water from intense azure blue to blood red.
La Paz received its modern name from Sebastián Vizcaíno, who established his base in La Paz in 1596 while circumnavigating the peninsula on exploratory expeditions. It was during these adventures that Vizcaino realized the importance of California's land and sea.
Sebastián Vizcaíno was a fortune seeker from Extremadura, Spain. He had participated in King Philip II’s successful invasion of Portugal in 1580-82 and gained royal favor. He sailed to the Philippines on the Manila Galleon. He then made a trans-Pacific crossing.
Sailing to Mexico, Vizcaíno briefly tried his hand in business, securing the royal concession for the pearl fisheries in Baja California. He gave the seaport of La Paz its modern name. Problems of supplying the remote outpost caused serious morale problems and forced the abandonment of La Paz.
Throughout its history, La Paz has endured numerous conquistadors, pirates, missionaries and entrepreneurs, creating a flowery historical mosaic of risk, daring, and adventure. It was said that pirates anchored near La Paz to services their vessels. While waiting for the arrival of the Manila Galleons the vessels held up in the harbor now known as Pichilingue. The winds which blow nightly are called "Coromuel" after the British privateer Cromwell. (as the Spanish pronounced it) Today, La Paz is bathed by the Sea of Cortéz, a name that signifies its historical significance and surrounds a city of unparalleled charm, offering magical sunsets day after day.
Money Magazine recently rated La Paz as the number one place in the world to retire. With modern medical facilities available and the completion of two new major shopping facilities it is easy to understand why. La Paz has good access to air travel, although not as convenient as
Cabo. La Paz probably offers the best international banking, international delivery and general selection of services in Baja Sur.
