Early Tourism
Advertisements, souvenir booklets, and photograph postcards taken by tourists show the U.S. consumption and appropriation of Mexican culture in Tijuana’s earliest years.
Souvenir First Semi-Annual Excursion of Southern California Hotel Association to San Diego, Coronado, La Jolla and Tia Juana, May 15 to 18 1894
"Tia Juana, in Old Mexico, was at length reached and there "Ruben the Guide" took us in hand, and with droll description and witty comment kept the party in a roar of laughter. A happy time was spent in looking around the quaint old village, and as a souvenir it was requested that Mayor Carlson, Mr. Hadley and "Ruben the Guide," with a young lady of tender years of Mexican and African descent, be photographed. The picture was made, and then all of the party wished to be pictured. This picture also was made. But alas! owing to Mescal or the influence of Papa Bilicke or Bro. O'Brien, both pictures were taken on the same plate, and it will take a genius to sorth them out. But still, such as it is, my reader, you are welcome to it and here it is for your enjoyment. Again let me quote Brother Smith:
The town has no Mayor nor Council to uphold its dignity. It is simply a little aggregation of Mexicans, who live a mile over the line and entertain visiting Americans daily. They are isolated down there. Ensenada, the nearest Mexican town, is one hundred and fifty miles away."
p. 29-31, Souvenir First Semi-Annual Excursion of Southern California Hotel Association to San Diego, Coronado, La Jolla and Tia Juana, May 15 to 18 1894
Seeing San Diego: Tia Juana, old Mexico, and other points of interest by Willis personally conducted sightseeing tour
San Diego Southern Railway Company: excursions to Tia Juana, Mexico & Sweetwater Dam
Inscription reads: "I was over on the border of old Mexico. Here is where one can see a bull fight (Tia Juana)"
Welcome Tijuana Typical Mexican fair, Tijuana, Old Mexico: open from July 1st to December 31st 1915
Pamphlet advertises a Mexican excursion from San Diego to Tijuana in 1915, including a 'Typical Mexican Fair' and 'Famous Old World Entertainers.' Bull fights, cock fights, Spanish dances and Mexican wild west shows are among the attractions.
Southern California photographs, between 1895 and 1910
Postcards
Postcard shows unpaved main street in Tijuana with A. Savin's store on right side, several pedestrians, mountains in the distance and no automobiles. The card opens to reveal a hidden pocket containing ten additional small black and white views of Tijuana: custom house, adobe chapel, A. Savin's store, boundary monument and bullfighting scene. Photos from the pocket below.
