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In 1918 there were only a few inns that serviced out
of town travelers who stopped wearisome from mule rides
to rest overnight. Leisure traffic was scarce.
Don Gregorio Rivera managed El Miramar in
located where cine Morelos now. It was later sold to
Doña Claudia García. Señor Salvador
Peña opened an Inn at the intersection of Morelos
and Aldama Streets. It was a big old house with rooms
faced the street.
At present, this is a commercial area full of door-to-door
businesses.
There used to be an inn built where Hotel Rio is at
present. Another inn was located before crossing the
river by the old bridge, where commercial center, Parián
del Rio is now. The inn was a huge two-story building
that measured the whole block. The top floor was the
home for a Non-Sancta home named El Tapanco (The
Attic)
Continuing with my narration
of the hotel Industry, I must mention that Doña
Cuca Novoa rented a few rooms on monthly basis, called
** Casa de Asistencia (Boarding
Home) She was the only one in this type of business.
Her Casa de Asistencia was located where hotel Central
is now. A few years later, Doña Eloisita came
to Puerto Vallarta from Mascota. She was the mother
of well-known local brothers Güero and José Manuel
Preciado. In 1934, she took over Doña Cuca's
business. Doña Eloisita had her Casa de Asistencia
for many years. She was famous for her cooking. She
charged only one peso per person for three meals a
day.
In 1939 Don Manuel Gutiérrez
Santana opened a small hotel with added commodities
on the top floor of Saucedo Theater. Many companies
hired sales representatives who traveled all over
the nation to sell products. Most on the sales reps
or better knows as Agente
Viajeros were regulars at Don Manuel's hotel.
The hotel had seven rooms and three shared bathrooms.
Later in 19490 Don Manuel moved his hotel to the location
where Hotel Oceáno is at present, which used
to be the Harbormaster's offices.
Don Manuel inaugurated his
new hotel with a grand opening, big gala. The new
hotel was named Gutiérrez
after his name. Charter bus drivers and their passengers
were his patrons.
Don Salvador González
followed Don Manuel's idea. He opened Hotel Rosita in 1945. In
1946, don Manuel opened another hotel, which he named Chula
Vista. Doña Eloisita sold her old Casa
de Asistencia, and it became Hotel Central.
In 1949 famous architect don Fernando Romero Escalante
came to Puerto Vallarta and changed the prevalent architecture
style with his unique designs.
He first built Las Campanas bungalows at the top of
the hill behind the Church. Then, he started transforming
old house into beautiful, elegant Mexican style casitas.
The casitas had porches and red roofs.
The popularity of Vallarta started growing by word
of mouth. Its natural beauty, good weather and hospitable
people were the attractions that awoke the interest
of many people who were in search of paradise.
Don Fernando Romero had many foreign friends who rented
his bungalows. He convinced many of them to build their
homes in this beautiful town. Soon, a new big developments
started. Many American built beautiful. Home along
the Cuale River. It was a nice area and the new homeowners
took advantage of the natural surroundings. The new
homes had a unique first-class Vallarta styles, which
has endured throughout the years.
The equipales furniture became the new rage,
kitchen counters were made of beautiful Mexican tile,
brick made arches were in all homes as well as windows
with tropical shutters, lattice windows and flower
boxes.
To my knowledge, Señor
Romero was the pioneer of a unique style that would
end many years later.
Catalina
Montes de Oca Aguilar
Read Doña
Catalina Montes de Oca Aguilar Autobiography
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Note: The segments
from the book "Puerto Vallarta en mis Recuerdos" -both
versions- are published in PVMirror.com with the
express authorization of Sra. Yolanda Contreras de
Garduño, co-author of the work and owner of
the copyrights thereto. Any reproduction thereof,
partial or total, in any medium is prohibited.
Note: Distinguished
reader, if you know of any story, anecdote, biography
or event, or if you have any photographs that you
feel should be presented to the world through this
section, or if you know someone we should interview
to get more information on the history of Vallarta,
please feel free to contact us at: editor@pvmirror.com
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