University of Arizona

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Esteban Cantu Photograph Album, circa 1915-1920

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.

This collection consists of an official photograph album documenting Cantu's trip to celebrate construction of a national road from Mexicali to Ensenada, circa 1915-1920. The cover title is Distrito Norte de la Baja California Al Sr. Lic. Manuel Aguirre Berlanga subsecretario de Estado y encargado del Despacho del Interior. 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, and more.