Follow the Treasure
The History Rancho Gaspareño®
Due to the amount of pirate activity in and around the area of this prime oceanfront land in Baja Sur in the 16th and 17th centuries, legend has it that pirate treasure can be found buried in the cave below the point at Rancho Gaspareño®. Schools from as far away as La Paz schedule annual visits to explore the pirate cave and Rancho Gaspareño®. Rancho Gaspareño® was named after a Spanish Galleon that went aground off the point in foul weather.

THE TREASURE HAS YET TO BE DISCOVERED!
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF BAJA CALIFORNIA

The area is rich with unique folklore. There is a confirmed history of “Amazon” Indian civilization, pirate plunder and buried treasure, Damiana-the ancient aphrodisiac and fertility enhancer of the Guaycuras Indians wild on the Rancho.

1804

1850

1952

1974

1989

The Spanish colony of California is divided into Alta (“upper”) and Baja (“lower”) California at the line separating the Franciscan missions in the north from the Dominican missions in the south.

After Alta California is annexed by the United States, Baja California is further divided into northern and southern territories. 

Northern Baja California becomes the 29th state of Mexico. The southern portion, below 28°N, remains a federally administered territory. 

The southern territory becomes the 31st state, Baja California Sur. 

Ernesto Ruffo Appel of the PAN becomes the first non-PRI governor of Baja California and the first opposition governor of any state since the Revolution. 

GUAYCURAS INDIANS

The Guaycuras Indians were native to the Southern and central areas of Baja, and as legend has it, the men were used for procreation, and the tribe was run by their ‘Amazon Queens,’ the most notorious being Queen Calafia. She was quite famous, as evidenced by the use of her name, “Calafia,” throughout Baja and Mainland Mexico. Some historians believe that California was named after her.

The Guaycuras Indians were over six feet tall and looked like no other Indian in any part of Baja or mainland Mexico. There is no record of any Indian anywhere in the western hemisphere that has any likeliness to them. Due to their resemblances to the seafaring voyagers of the Pacific Islanders, and the similar latitude to the Hawaiian Islands, there is more than a possibility that they were direct descendants of Polynesian seafarers attempting to find the Hawaiian Islands that had blown off course and landed at Southern Baja California and settling there. As you observe the area’s local people, you will notice many tall, slender, dark-haired Indians; these are descendants of the original Guaycuras.

A trail leads over the mountains from the edge of Rancho Gaspareño® to San. Jose Del Cabo. The two-day hike leads to the biosphere in the Gigante mountains.

By 1767, most of the Guaycuras Indians in the area had disappeared either of European diseases, assimilation, or in skirmishes with the Spanish. The surviving Indians were moved to missions farther north. Still, just 30 minutes south, San Jose del Cabo remained an important Spanish military outpost until the mid-19th century when the presidio was turned over to Mexican nationals.

GUAYCURAS INDIANS

The Guaycuras Indians were native to the Southern and central areas of Baja, and as legend has it, the men were used for procreation, and the tribe was run by their ‘Amazon Queens,’ the most notorious being Queen Calafia. She was quite famous, as evidenced by the use of her name, “Calafia,” throughout Baja and Mainland Mexico. Some historians believe that California was named after her.

The Guaycuras Indians were over six feet tall and looked like no other Indian in any part of Baja or mainland Mexico. There is no record of any Indian anywhere in the western hemisphere that has any likeliness to them. Due to their resemblances to the seafaring voyagers of the Pacific Islanders, and the similar latitude to the Hawaiian Islands, there is more than a possibility that they were direct descendants of Polynesian seafarers attempting to find the Hawaiian Islands that had blown off course and landed at Southern Baja California and settling there. As you observe the area’s local people, you will notice many tall, slender, dark-haired Indians; these are descendants of the original Guaycuras.

A trail leads over the mountains from the edge of Rancho Gaspareño® to San. Jose Del Cabo. The two-day hike leads to the biosphere in the Gigante mountains.

By 1767, most of the Guaycuras Indians in the area had disappeared either of European diseases, assimilation, or in skirmishes with the Spanish. The surviving Indians were moved to missions farther north. Still, just 30 minutes south, San Jose del Cabo remained an important Spanish military outpost until the mid-19th century when the presidio was turned over to Mexican nationals.

ENGLISH PIRATES ON THE SEA OF CORTEZ

Sir Francis Drake, Thomas Cavendish, William Dampier, Woodes Rogers, Thomas Dover, Cromwell, and other English privateers left a colorful Baja legacy behind. Despite Spain’s repeated attempts to colonize the peninsula, the pirates probably gained more wealth in the Californias throughout the Spanish colonial period than the Spanish themselves. For over 250 years, they plagued the Manila galleons off the coast of the Californias, finding the bays and lagoons of Baja’s Cape Region perfect hiding places to launch attacks on treasure-laden ships.

In La Paz, their knowledge of the strong breeze that blows into the harbor every summer afternoon assisted the pirates in attacking Spanish galleons while the Spanish military vessels were effectively trapped in the bay. Four centuries after the first Manila- Acapulco voyages, this afternoon wind is still known as El Coromuel. The wind was named for the Puritan Cromwell’s father and son, who ruled successively as Lord Protectors of England or previously known as Cromwell, the Pirate, which the afternoon winds were named after.

ENGLISH PIRATES ON THE SEA OF CORTEZ

Sir Francis Drake, Thomas Cavendish, William Dampier, Woodes Rogers, Thomas Dover, Cromwell, and other English privateers left a colorful Baja legacy behind. Despite Spain’s repeated attempts to colonize the peninsula, the pirates probably gained more wealth in the Californias throughout the Spanish colonial period than the Spanish themselves. For over 250 years, they plagued the Manila galleons off the coast of the Californias, finding the bays and lagoons of Baja’s Cape Region perfect hiding places to launch attacks on treasure-laden ships.

In La Paz, their knowledge of the strong breeze that blows into the harbor every summer afternoon assisted the pirates in attacking Spanish galleons while the Spanish military vessels were effectively trapped in the bay. Four centuries after the first Manila- Acapulco voyages, this afternoon wind is still known as El Coromuel. The wind was named for the Puritan Cromwell’s father and son, who ruled successively as Lord Protectors of England or previously known as Cromwell, the Pirate, which the afternoon winds were named after.

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE SHIP, DESIRE

The most notorious of the Pacific privateers was Sir Thomas Cavendish, whose greatest feat of plunder occurred at Cabo San Lucas in 1587. There his two English vessels, Desire and Content, commandeered the Spanish galleon, Santa Ana, following a protracted sea battle. Cavendish set fire to the Santa Ana after looting its cargo holds and setting its crew and passengers ashore. The Spanish crew later retrieved the burned hulk and restored it for a return to Acapulco.

The plundered treasure, meanwhile, was divided between the Desire and Content. The ships set sail for England immediately, but the Desire disappeared during the first night of their triumphant voyage. Cavendish reported in England that the captain and crew of the Desire must have scuttled the ship on a nearby island and disappeared with the loot. Neither the wreckage of the vessel nor the treasure was ever discovered. Some historians speculate that at least part of the missing wealth remains buried near the Cape.

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE SHIP, DESIRE

The most notorious of the Pacific privateers was Sir Thomas Cavendish, whose greatest feat of plunder occurred at Cabo San Lucas in 1587. There his two English vessels, Desire and Content, commandeered the Spanish galleon, Santa Ana, following a protracted sea battle. Cavendish set fire to the Santa Ana after looting its cargo holds and setting its crew and passengers ashore. The Spanish crew later retrieved the burned hulk and restored it for a return to Acapulco.

The plundered treasure, meanwhile, was divided between the Desire and Content. The ships set sail for England immediately, but the Desire disappeared during the first night of their triumphant voyage. Cavendish reported in England that the captain and crew of the Desire must have scuttled the ship on a nearby island and disappeared with the loot. Neither the wreckage of the vessel nor the treasure was ever discovered. Some historians speculate that at least part of the missing wealth remains buried near the Cape.

A VISIT BY ROBINSON CRUSOE

In 1709, famed corsair, Woodes Rogers, landed in La Paz after rescuing a seaman who’d been marooned five years on a deserted island off Chile’s coast. The rescued man was Alexander Selkirk, whose island sojourn became the inspiration for Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe, published in 1719. Selkirk was aboard Roger’s Dover when the crew captured the Spanish galleon Encarnacion off Cabo San Lucas in 1709. Selkirk served as sailing master on the ship’s return voyage to England the following year.

A VISIT BY ROBINSON CRUSOE

In 1709, famed corsair, Woodes Rogers, landed in La Paz after rescuing a seaman who’d been marooned five years on a deserted island off Chile’s coast. The rescued man was Alexander Selkirk, whose island sojourn became the inspiration for Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe, published in 1719. Selkirk was aboard Roger’s Dover when the crew captured the Spanish galleon Encarnacion off Cabo San Lucas in 1709. Selkirk served as sailing master on the ship’s return voyage to England the following year.

LEGENDS OF BURLED TREASURE AT
RANCHO GASPAREÑO®

The well-recorded history of the cape area around Rancho Gaspareño® documents that notorious pirates roamed, sailed, and plundered in Baja Sur for almost 300 years. During this historical period, pirates were mainly of Dutch, Spanish, English, and Chilean origin.

In the periods from the mid-1500s to the 1800s, over 250 Spanish Galleons loaded with their super cargos of various valuables from the Philippines (named Manila Galleons), passed through and stopped in the cape areas to prepare for their trips to Acapulco, the headquarters for New Spain and then on to Spain.

Many tales of fighting and plundering are well documented in history. In 1974, while building the road to Pichelinque, the out-of-town highway to the ferry terminal near la Paz, a pirate chest of plundered loot was discovered by road construction workers.

LEGENDS OF BURLED TREASURE AT
RANCHO GASPAREÑO

The well-recorded history of the cape area around Rancho Gaspareño® documents that notorious pirates roamed, sailed, and plundered in Baja Sur for almost 300 years. During this historical period, pirates were mainly of Dutch, Spanish, English, and Chilean origin.

In the periods from the mid-1500s to the 1800s, over 250 Spanish Galleons loaded with their super cargos of various valuables from the Philippines (named Manila Galleons), passed through and stopped in the cape areas to prepare for their trips to Acapulco, the headquarters for New Spain and then on to Spain.

Many tales of fighting and plundering are well documented in history. In 1974, while building the road to Pichelinque, the out-of-town highway to the ferry terminal near la Paz, a pirate chest of plundered loot was discovered by road construction workers.

PIRATE CAVE AT RANCHO GASPERAÑO® FEATURED IN LOCAL SCHOOL OUTINGS

Many local schools bring their classes to the cave of this prime oceanfront land in Baja Sur pictured to the right and tell the well-known stories of long ago. Located inside the rock promontory on the southwest corner of the Rancho Gaspareño property is a cave accessed from the beach at low tides. The cave goes back approximately 100 feet into the rock, with sand coming in and out with the different tides; the height of the cave can vary drastically depending on the time of the year. It has, at times, a very high ceiling. Legend has it there is pirate’s treasure buried somewhere in the cave. The treasure has yet to be found.

PIRATE CAVE AT RANCHO GASPERAÑO® FEATURED IN LOCAL SCHOOL OUTINGS

Many local schools bring their classes to the cave of this prime oceanfront land in Baja Sur pictured to the right and tell the well-known stories of long ago. Located inside the rock promontory on the southwest corner of the Rancho Gaspareño property is a cave accessed from the beach at low tides. The cave goes back approximately 100 feet into the rock, with sand coming in and out with the different tides; the height of the cave can vary drastically depending on the time of the year. It has, at times, a very high ceiling. Legend has it there is pirate’s treasure buried somewhere in the cave. The treasure has yet to be found.

A MOST COMPELLING AND INTERESTING PART OF THE LAND THAT SURROUNDS RANCHO GASPAREÑO®

In 1852 Benito Juarez (the Abraham Lincoln of Mexico)
transferred 8,000 hectares of land from ownership by the
government of Mexico to the people. The area transferred was known as San Jacinto. The person who benefitted the most was a Guycura Indian princess Dionessa Villalobos. Princess
Dionessa had nine children with Padre Gabrial Gonzalez, the Padre in charge of the Todos Santos Mission. Dionessa Villabos was part of the founding family of Todos Santos. In addition, her proud descendants populate the area to this day, with family names including Avlies, Maldonaido, Villarino, Slgado, and more. When you read the first pages of the original deed for Rancho Gaspareño®, it shows the San Jacinto Land Grant in favor of
Villalobos and signed by the President of Mexico at that time, Benito Juarez.


Rancho Gaspareño® got its name from the Manila Galleon that ran aground off the Promontory on its way to Acapulco, the headquarters for the Spanish Crown’s Western expansion.

To this day, well-known tales of pirate booty buried in the cave still bring treasure hunters after a large storm when the tide is low.

The Battle of San Jacinto was fought locally against the American Military in the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848. It was the only battle where the Mexican army prevailed. Ultimately, the American Army occupied Mexico City, and the Mexican Army was forced to surrender.

The signing of the Treaty of Hidalgo seeded over fifty percent of Mexico to the Americans. Now the states of Texas, Colorado, California, Utah, and Arizona, with parts of Oklahoma and Wyoming.

A MOST COMPELLING AND INTERESTING PART OF THE LAND THAT SURROUNDS RANCHO GASPAREÑO®

In 1852 Benito Juarez (the Abraham Lincoln of Mexico) transferred 8,000 hectares of land from ownership by the government of Mexico to the people. The area transferred was known as San Jacinto. The person who benefitted the most was a Guycura Indian princess Dionessa Villalobos. Princess Dionessa had nine children with Padre Gabrial Gonzalez, the Padre in charge of the Todos Santos Mission. Dionessa Villabos was part of the founding family of Todos Santos. In addition, her proud descendants populate the area to this day, with family names including Avlies, Maldonaido, Villarino, Slgado, and more. When you read the first pages of the original deed for Rancho Gaspareño®, it shows the San Jacinto Land Grant in favor of Villalobos and signed by the President of Mexico at that time, Benito Juarez.

Rancho Gaspareño® got its name from the Manila Galleon that ran aground off the Promontory on its way to Acapulco, the headquarters for the Spanish Crown’s Western expansion.

To this day, well-known tales of pirate booty buried in the cave still bring treasure hunters after a large storm when the tide is low.

The Battle of San Jacinto was fought locally against the American Military in the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848. It was the only battle where the Mexican army prevailed. Ultimately, the American Army occupied Mexico City, and the Mexican Army was forced to surrender.

The signing of the Treaty of Hidalgo seeded over fifty percent of Mexico to the Americans. Now the states of Texas, Colorado, California, Utah, and Arizona, with parts of Oklahoma and Wyoming.

THE ORIGINAL DEED FOR RANCHO GASPAREÑO®