Wirt Bowman
Encyclopedia
Wirt G. Bowman was an American self-described capitalist
. He was also an entrepreneur
, speculator, casino owner, and one of the founders of the Agua Caliente Casino and Hotel
in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
.
Bowman was the son of a Virginia
n Confederate
cavalry veteran and expert telegraph operator who settled in West Point, Mississippi
following the war. In 1887, the family moved to Childress, Texas
, where they engaged in farming and ranching.(citation1)
In 1894, at the age of 20, Wirt Bowman became a telegraph operator and station agent for the Southern Pacific Railway. During his 18 years with the railroad, it was said that he worked at every station between Nogales
and Guaymas
, except for Santa Ana
. (citation 2) On June 3, 1896, he married his first wife, Magdalene Bernaldo, in Guaymas
, Sonora
, Mexico
. They had four children, Matilda Ruth Bowman, born March 27, 1897; Edna Bowman Cavanaugh, born March 24, 1900; Georgia Bowman, born February 22, 1914, died August 14, 1918 from burns; and Betty Jean Bowman (adopted) born January 19, 1918, died, October 12, 1973 from cancer. He left the railroad in 1912 to devote his time to ranching in Nogales, Arizona
, where he soon became an exceptionally successful businessman and politician. Bowman was a resident of Nogales for 51 years, and was responsible for much of its development and construction, including the Bowman Hotel and the Nogales Theater. He eventually owned the First National Bank, and was a principal investor in the Arizona Brewing Company in Phoenix
, which offered Sunbru, the first bottled beer sold in Arizona when Prohibition
ended. http://www.breweriana.com/history/historyarizonabrew.html Bowman also purchased large amounts of land in Arizona
and southern California
, particularly several noted properties in San Diego (including Rancho de los Penasquitos http://www.nicoleaquino.com/RanchoPQ/history.htm and Otero Ranch http://www.dornhomes.com/tubac-golf-resort/tubac-golf-resort-history.htm).
Bowman's success in business was matched by his success in politics. In Nogales, he served three terms as a town councilman, one term as mayor, (1918-1919) http://www.nogalesaz.net/Graphics/jpg/Mayors/pages/1918%20-%201919%20Wirt%20G%20Bowman_jpg.htm and one term as a member of the Arizona state legislature
(1919-1920). He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention
in New York City
in 1924, served as vice-Chairman of the Democratic State Central Committee in Arizona (1924), and served as Democratic National Committeeman of Arizona (1932-1940). He was appointed Collector of Customs for the District of Arizona by President Franklin D. Roosevelt
in 1943 (some say as a reward for party service) and served 2½ years. (citation 7)
Bowman was also extremely successful in business ventures across the Mexican border, where he owned the Foreign Club, a Tijuana gambling establishment. In 1928, Wirt Bowman, Baron H. Long (a California hotel and nightclub owner), and James N. Crofton (in the horseracing business) formed a company ("syndicate") to build the $10 million Agua Caliente Casino and Hotel
. http://www.sandiegohistory.org/books/pourade/rising/risingchapter6.htm http://www.sandiegohistory.org/journal/2002-3/frontier.htm Some sources note the fourth partner was Abelardo L. Rodriguez
, Military Commander and Governor of Baja, and future President of Mexico
. http://www.sandiego.edu/tijuana/tjtimeline.html The luxury Resort included casino, hotel, guest bungalows, championship golf and tennis facilities, Turkish baths, restaurants, nightclubs, and its own airstrip. The venture was enormously successful financially and particularly popular with Hollywood stars of the day, who were able to avoid Prohibition
and other limitations by crossing the border. The $2.5 million Agua Caliente racetrack
, which opened in December 1929, was equally attractive because betting on horse races was illegal in California at the time. http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20041228/news_1s28caliente.html The world of casinos, gambling, and horseracing is often associated with organized crime, as well as "vice" crimes, such as prostitution. Some sources suggest that Bowman and his associates (dubbed "Border Barons" by the media) were also involved in these less legitimate enterprises in Tijuana, and imply that Bowman may have played a leadership role, thanks to his vast network of family and business associates on both sides of the border. (citation 11, 12) Bowman left Agua Caliente in 1934, just one year before Mexican President Lazaro Cardenas
outlawed gambling, closed the resort, and turned it into a school.
In 1945, Bowman sold the First National Bank, resigned as president of the local chamber of commerce, and bought one of the largest cattle ranches in southern Arizona's San Rafael Valley
. (citation 2) He died of a heart attack on April 20, 1949, at the age of 75. He spent his last three years in Tucson
, with his second wife, Teresa Villagran Bowman. He had three children with Teresa Bowman; Jack, Georgia, and Ginga. http://genealogy.az.gov/azdeath/088/10880117.pdf
Bowman's associate Baron Long once owned a racehorse named "Wirt Bowman" that had the distinction of being the first horse transported by airplane for a horse race. (need citation)
Capitalism
Capitalism is an economic system that became dominant in the Western world following the demise of feudalism. There is no consensus on the precise definition nor on how the term should be used as a historical category...
. He was also an entrepreneur
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
, speculator, casino owner, and one of the founders of the Agua Caliente Casino and Hotel
Agua Caliente Casino and Hotel
The Agua Caliente Casino and Resort opened in June 1928 in the Mexican city of Tijuana, Baja California. It was a lavish resort that included a casino, spa, championship golf and tennis facilities, its own airstrip, and lots of entertainment...
in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
.
Bowman was the son of a Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
n Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
cavalry veteran and expert telegraph operator who settled in West Point, Mississippi
West Point, Mississippi
West Point is a city in Clay County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 12,145 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Clay County and the principal city of the West Point Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of the larger Columbus-West Point Combined Statistical...
following the war. In 1887, the family moved to Childress, Texas
Childress, Texas
Childress is a city in Childress County, Texas, United States. The population was 6,778 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Childress County. Like the county, the city is named for George Campbell Childress, a native of Nashville, Tennessee, who was the principal author of the Texas...
, where they engaged in farming and ranching.(citation1)
In 1894, at the age of 20, Wirt Bowman became a telegraph operator and station agent for the Southern Pacific Railway. During his 18 years with the railroad, it was said that he worked at every station between Nogales
Nogales, Sonora
Heroica Nogales , more commonly known as Nogales, is a city and its surrounding municipality on the northern border of the Mexican State of Sonora. The municipality covers an area of 1,675 km², and borders to the north the city of Nogales, Arizona, United States, across the U.S.-Mexico border...
and Guaymas
Guaymas
Guaymas is a city and municipality located in the southwest part of the state of Sonora in northwestern Mexico. The city is located 117 km south of the state capital of Hermosillo, and 242 miles from the U.S. border, and is the principal port for the state. The municipality is located in the...
, except for Santa Ana
Santa Ana, Sonora
Santa Ana is a small city and municipal seat of the municipality of the same name in the Mexican state of Sonora. It is located 270 kilometers north of state capital Hermosillo and 100 kilometers south of Nogales on the United States border. The area of the municipality is 1,620.65 kms2 and the...
. (citation 2) On June 3, 1896, he married his first wife, Magdalene Bernaldo, in Guaymas
Guaymas
Guaymas is a city and municipality located in the southwest part of the state of Sonora in northwestern Mexico. The city is located 117 km south of the state capital of Hermosillo, and 242 miles from the U.S. border, and is the principal port for the state. The municipality is located in the...
, Sonora
Sonora
Sonora officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Sonora is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided into 72 municipalities; the capital city is Hermosillo....
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. They had four children, Matilda Ruth Bowman, born March 27, 1897; Edna Bowman Cavanaugh, born March 24, 1900; Georgia Bowman, born February 22, 1914, died August 14, 1918 from burns; and Betty Jean Bowman (adopted) born January 19, 1918, died, October 12, 1973 from cancer. He left the railroad in 1912 to devote his time to ranching in Nogales, Arizona
Nogales, Arizona
Nogales is a city in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States. The population was 21,017 at the 2010 census. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 20,833. The city is the county seat of Santa Cruz County....
, where he soon became an exceptionally successful businessman and politician. Bowman was a resident of Nogales for 51 years, and was responsible for much of its development and construction, including the Bowman Hotel and the Nogales Theater. He eventually owned the First National Bank, and was a principal investor in the Arizona Brewing Company in Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, which offered Sunbru, the first bottled beer sold in Arizona when Prohibition
Prohibition
Prohibition of alcohol, often referred to simply as prohibition, is the practice of prohibiting the manufacture, transportation, import, export, sale, and consumption of alcohol and alcoholic beverages. The term can also apply to the periods in the histories of the countries during which the...
ended. http://www.breweriana.com/history/historyarizonabrew.html Bowman also purchased large amounts of land in Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
and southern California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, particularly several noted properties in San Diego (including Rancho de los Penasquitos http://www.nicoleaquino.com/RanchoPQ/history.htm and Otero Ranch http://www.dornhomes.com/tubac-golf-resort/tubac-golf-resort-history.htm).
Bowman's success in business was matched by his success in politics. In Nogales, he served three terms as a town councilman, one term as mayor, (1918-1919) http://www.nogalesaz.net/Graphics/jpg/Mayors/pages/1918%20-%201919%20Wirt%20G%20Bowman_jpg.htm and one term as a member of the Arizona state legislature
Arizona Legislature
The Arizona Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Arizona. It is a bicameral legislature that consists of a lower house, the House of Representatives, and an upper house, the Senate. There are 60 Representatives and 30 Senators...
(1919-1920). He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention
Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1832 by the United States Democratic Party. They have been administered by the Democratic National Committee since the 1852 national convention...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1924, served as vice-Chairman of the Democratic State Central Committee in Arizona (1924), and served as Democratic National Committeeman of Arizona (1932-1940). He was appointed Collector of Customs for the District of Arizona by President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
in 1943 (some say as a reward for party service) and served 2½ years. (citation 7)
Bowman was also extremely successful in business ventures across the Mexican border, where he owned the Foreign Club, a Tijuana gambling establishment. In 1928, Wirt Bowman, Baron H. Long (a California hotel and nightclub owner), and James N. Crofton (in the horseracing business) formed a company ("syndicate") to build the $10 million Agua Caliente Casino and Hotel
Agua Caliente Casino and Hotel
The Agua Caliente Casino and Resort opened in June 1928 in the Mexican city of Tijuana, Baja California. It was a lavish resort that included a casino, spa, championship golf and tennis facilities, its own airstrip, and lots of entertainment...
. http://www.sandiegohistory.org/books/pourade/rising/risingchapter6.htm http://www.sandiegohistory.org/journal/2002-3/frontier.htm Some sources note the fourth partner was Abelardo L. Rodriguez
Abelardo L. Rodríguez
Abelardo Rodríguez Luján, commonly known as Abelardo L. Rodríguez was the interim president of Mexico from 1932–1934, completing the term of Pascual Ortiz after his resignation.-Early life:...
, Military Commander and Governor of Baja, and future President of Mexico
President of Mexico
The President of the United Mexican States is the head of state and government of Mexico. Under the Constitution, the president is also the Supreme Commander of the Mexican armed forces...
. http://www.sandiego.edu/tijuana/tjtimeline.html The luxury Resort included casino, hotel, guest bungalows, championship golf and tennis facilities, Turkish baths, restaurants, nightclubs, and its own airstrip. The venture was enormously successful financially and particularly popular with Hollywood stars of the day, who were able to avoid Prohibition
Prohibition
Prohibition of alcohol, often referred to simply as prohibition, is the practice of prohibiting the manufacture, transportation, import, export, sale, and consumption of alcohol and alcoholic beverages. The term can also apply to the periods in the histories of the countries during which the...
and other limitations by crossing the border. The $2.5 million Agua Caliente racetrack
Agua Caliente Racetrack
The Agua Caliente Racetrack is a greyhound racing and former horse racing track in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. It opened in December 1929 at a cost of $2.5 million.One year before, the Agua Caliente Casino and Hotel opened in June 1928....
, which opened in December 1929, was equally attractive because betting on horse races was illegal in California at the time. http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20041228/news_1s28caliente.html The world of casinos, gambling, and horseracing is often associated with organized crime, as well as "vice" crimes, such as prostitution. Some sources suggest that Bowman and his associates (dubbed "Border Barons" by the media) were also involved in these less legitimate enterprises in Tijuana, and imply that Bowman may have played a leadership role, thanks to his vast network of family and business associates on both sides of the border. (citation 11, 12) Bowman left Agua Caliente in 1934, just one year before Mexican President Lazaro Cardenas
Lázaro Cárdenas
Lázaro Cárdenas del Río was President of Mexico from 1934 to 1940.-Early life:Lázaro Cárdenas was born on May 21, 1895 in a lower-middle class family in the village of Jiquilpan, Michoacán. He supported his family from age 16 after the death of his father...
outlawed gambling, closed the resort, and turned it into a school.
In 1945, Bowman sold the First National Bank, resigned as president of the local chamber of commerce, and bought one of the largest cattle ranches in southern Arizona's San Rafael Valley
San Rafael Swell
The San Rafael Swell is a large geologic feature located in south-central Utah, USA about 30 miles west of Green River, Utah. The San Rafael Swell, approximately by , consists of a giant dome-shaped anticline of sandstone, shale, and limestone that was pushed up during the Paleocene Laramide...
. (citation 2) He died of a heart attack on April 20, 1949, at the age of 75. He spent his last three years in Tucson
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200...
, with his second wife, Teresa Villagran Bowman. He had three children with Teresa Bowman; Jack, Georgia, and Ginga. http://genealogy.az.gov/azdeath/088/10880117.pdf
Bowman's associate Baron Long once owned a racehorse named "Wirt Bowman" that had the distinction of being the first horse transported by airplane for a horse race. (need citation)