A San Diego New Year, 1936
POSTED BY: CARDENAS.AE@GMAIL.COM JANUARY 1, 2019
At 3 p.m. on New Year’s Day 1936, Corpus Christi radio station KDFI presented “La Hora de San Diego,” sponsored by San Diego’s newspaper La Voz. San Diego piano players Paco Romano and Salvador Cisneros were among the artists featured in the hourly program. Also taking part were entertainers Santiago Garza, Epitacio Alvarado, the Ibanez brothers, and tenor Manuel Castaneda.
La Voz editor Servando Cardenas wrote, in a column featured in the front page, that San Diego was a small town at the time, but had a bright future, since it was beginning a new era, one which he was sure would bring glad tidings to its residents. The schools, he added, while small had excellent teachers who brought pride to the community and from its classrooms had come students who brought honor the community. Public officials and local businessmen knew how to take care of the people’s needs, the editor wrote.
Front page of La Voz on January 1, 1936.
Not all was good news, however. The newspaper reported the death of Clemente Pompa, 64, survived by his wife Victoria, several offspring and relatives. Pompa was a member of the Edinburg chapter of the Woodmen of the World but was buried in San Diego. Jim’s Cafe, owned by Salome Castañon, had been robbed of $50. City Marshall Teodoro Sendejo quickly arrested a suspect, Avelino Dominguez, who he placed in jail while immigration officials came to pick him up. Castañon would have had no luck were it not for bad luck. A few days later he had a head-on collision with a car coming from Alice. Fortunately, his injuries were minor as was the damage to his car.
In addition to his front-page editorial, Cardenas also included one of his poems, Anhelos. (the book La Voz de Amor includes this poem as well as others by Servando Cardenas). Also appearing in the columns of La Voz’s New Years edition was an extensive column by St. Francis de Paula’s pastor, Father Juan Zabala, O.P.
Click on photo to order your copy of La Voz de Amor.
The San Diego Bakery, previously owned by Hilario Hernandez, remained open under new management specializing on cakes. The local movie house, The Rio, was under the management of Abel C. Ramirez. Encarnacion Peña Sr. assumed ownership of the barbershop previously owned by Marcial Saenz.
Those wishing the community New Year’s wishes in the newspaper’s columns included, Tax Assessor-Collector Jesus Oliveira, County Attorney R. F. Luna, and County School Superintendent R.L. Adame. Also, businessmen Juan Rivera, Jose O. Martinez, realtor Juan A. Garcia, dry cleaner Santos Ibañez, M. Pruneda (barber), “El Fenix” chocolate confectioner Ladislado Fresnillo, grocer Cirino Cardenas, Jose L. Garcia (barber), sign painter R.G. Soliz, and C. and A.B. Cuellar, owners of the Chevrolet dealership.
Business establishments extending New Year’s wishes included Southwest Texas Distributing Co., J.C. Perez, manager; M.D. Cohn & Co.; San Diego Lumber & Hardware Co.; Manuel Olivares & Co.; Wright Abstract Co. Inc.; Tony’s Place; C.H. Hinojosa & Co.; O.G. Garcia & Co.; San Diego Grocery Store; Garcia Serice Station; Chito Cafe; and Jim’s Cafe.
8 COMMENTSON "A SAN DIEGO NEW YEAR, 1936"
roberto tiblier anguiano jr. | February 19, 2019 at 7:29 am | Reply
enjoyed the past history of san diego, my grandfather, erenest tiblier, and his 5 brothers grew up in san diego in the late 1890’s. he and his brother duey, went on to serve in w. w. 1 while I was growing up he used to tell me on what he had seen thru his early years in duval co. I wish he was alive to tell you his stories. take care alfreado, nice work.cardenas.ae@gmail.com | February 21, 2019 at 4:40 pm | Reply
Good to hear from you, Roberto. The Tibiliers were a well-known family in Duval County. Was Constable Antonio Anguino who was killed at the courthouse shootout in 1912 a relative of yours?Belinda | January 5, 2019 at 9:41 pm | Reply
I enjoy reading so much Soydeduval, my family is The Cantu’s, The Valerio’s & Alaniz from La Rosita, Texas. Thank youcardenas.ae@gmail.com | January 6, 2019 at 7:44 pm | Reply
Thank you, Belinda.Virginia CUlp | January 4, 2019 at 7:10 am | Reply
In the mid 1950’s I went to a one room school in La Copita and our teacher was a Mrs Adame, wonder what her relation to the County School Superintendent Adame was? Love reading about Duval County and all its history.cardenas.ae@gmail.com | January 4, 2019 at 11:38 am | Reply
Very likely related, perhaps his spouse. Her name was Consuelo and would have been in her early 40s in 1950. Glad you enjoyed the blog.Rose Flores | January 2, 2019 at 1:59 pm | Reply
I really enjoy reading your articles about San Diego and Duval County history. Rose and Dan Flores
Thank you. I enjoy doing this but it’s always good to hear your work is appreciated.
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