In May of 1979 Mary Thompson and Judy McClain flew to Álamos in their Cessna #172 . The landing strip in Álamos was gravel, which offered a bit of a challenge to a pilot who had completed only 42 hours of instruction--but all went well. Their purpose was to see a house Dale Edwards had built. The house, at #1 Tacubaya, was being offered to Mary in payment for a debt, and it had been built as a “spec” house with a construction crew composed of “bar debtors.”

The lack of professional skills was reflected in details such as wobbly tile, but that in no way dampened Mary’s enthusiasm. Title transfer was arranged within five days! It was a year of severe drought, so part of the contract stipulated that the sale would be executed only if it rained before a certain date--which it did.

Their next trip was in late October when they drove a van loaded with furniture and appliances. They came through Rosalia in Baja to Guaymas by ferry, and the trip was delayed both by usual and a few unusual complications. Eventually, they arrived in Álamos.

The house was totally unfurnished, so it required many trips back and forth before they were settled. Christmas dinner was celebrated at a local ranch with tuna fish sandwiches as the entre. Alejandro and Jose Luis from La Casa de los Tesoros were also guests, and all enjoyed the piñata party; Mary and Judy, though, who had brought the piñata, became red-faced when it became apparent there were no treats inside! The day was saved by the ranch foreman, who covered the ground with oranges and nuts as the children scrambled to get their treats.

It was in April that Bill Wright asked them to a TGIF, where they first got to know members of the American community. At first they brought much of their food to Álamos with them. At that time fresh milk was sold on the street and customers filled their own pails. Drinking-water had to be boiled, and there were few air conditions in the town. Pepe Reyes with the water department blamed the North Americans and their indoor plumbing for the continual water shortage.

Over the years Judy developed a business in home management for people who were here only part of the year. In later years Mary has spent more and more time at their home in California.

Listed below are Álamos residents that Judy and Mary recall from their first years in Álamos:

Bill and Dolly Walsh - Bill was a prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials in 1946.

Eleanor Carroll - described as very “queenly,”

Hal and Margo Findlay - Hal had worked in music for Warner Brothers, and Margo was an artist and dancer,

Darley Gordon, Edith Pratt, and Roberto Bloor - owner and managers at the Casa de los Tersoros hotel,

Carlotta Mills - wrote the book The Almadas of Álamos,

Hal Tate - restored a property on Juárez Street,

Genevieve Reynolds - Her son, Doug, still lives here,

Bill and Ginny Cotton - Bill died playing poker at Morgan Wood’s house. At the conclusion of the session, his body was put in the car and driven to the U.S.

Bill and Billie Norton - lived in Tacubaya,

Curley and Wendy Ellis - They originated the TGIF parties,

Pember and Elizabeth Nuzum - active community members,

Jack and Pat Manning - They lived at Casa Pacifica

Les and Carolyn Meisenheimer - For many years they sponsored a volleyball competition between a team from Santa Monica, CA, and a local Álamos team.

The Heycocks

Ben and Bengta Wolsin

Laurie and A.C. Fellows

The Clevertons

The LaSassier family

Martha and Craig Hill

John and June Marthens

The Ewalts family