Chronicles of San Pedro
Chronicles of San Pedro Archives
Roots of San Pedro - Fido Nuñez
Fido Nuñez is perhaps one of the San Pedro name most known around the world. His name is Wilfrido Nuñez but known to everyone as Fido (pronounced Feedo). He was born to Francisco Nuñez, bother of Cruz Nuñez, the patriarch of the large Nuñez Family in San Pedro. His immediate family consists of Chabby Nuñez Salazar and Wilfrido Nuñez Jr.
Roots of San Pedro - Enrique Staines
- by Angel Nuñez - Enrique Staines was to San Pedro what George Price was to the country of Belize. George Price inherited a country with all rural communities without potable water, without electricity, and no telephones. Similarly, when Mr. Enrique Staines became village chairman, there was no 24-hour electricity in San Pedro. But by 1968, Mr. Staines had lobbied with our Area Representative and George Price and brought the first power plant generator for San Pedro.
Roots of San Pedro - Farewell to Mr. John Bremekamp
by Angel Nuñez - Though John was born in the United States of America, he came to San Pedro at an early age and adapted to San Pedro's lifestyle, traditions and culture and made himself a worthy San Pedrano. He had worked hard in the U.S. and retired early and made San Pedro his retirement home. He and Jeannie, his wife, arrived here with small children and made some more while here. But John was not to be the regular retired American; he got involved, made his contributions, and reaped the fruits of his work in San Pedro.
Early Village Life of Our Founding Fathers
It was 1848 during the Caste War that the Mestizo refugees escaped from Yucatan Mexico and settled on Ambergris Caye in this area now known as San Pedro. The site was probably chosen because it was high land and the narrowest stretch on the island.
Meet the Early Settlers of San Pedro
Writer's Note: (Pay attention to all the names in this article.) When I was a young man, I had the privilege of knowing Mr. Danny Vasquez, born and raised in San Pedro and who was directly connected with the early founders of San Pedro. He had a wealth of knowledge on Ambergris Caye and I was always willing to listen, ask a lot of questions, and absorbed his wealth of knowledge.
Then The Fishing Cooperative Thrived in San Pedro
- by Angel Nunez - Up until the 1930's and 1940's Sanpedrano men were mostly employed and engaged in the coconut industry, but the Hurricane of 1942 flattened the coconut plantations and destroyed 90% of the houses in the village. Sanpedranos were out of a job and San Pedro without an industry.
Close Encounters at Sea (Survival Stories) Pt.3
by Angel Nunez - In this article (Part 3) I want to document real close encounters of San Pedranos that we may remember for generations. They are real stories that have been told throughout the years. They were a big deal back then, when local fishermen and divers lacked the modern equipment, technology and medical services were scarce on the island. Enjoy this third article with incredible stories about our local fishermen.
The Roman Catholic Church of Ambergris Caye
- by Angel Nunez - The island of Ambergris Caye was auctioned on the 13th of September 1869 and the successful bidder at $625.00 was James Hume Blake, a British magistrate of the Corozal District. The only land exempted from the sale was a lot given for the purpose of building a Roman Catholic Church in the village of San Pedro. At this time the village was inhabited by several Mestizo families who had fled from the Caste War in Yucatan and settled in the village which they named San Pedro.
Close Encounters at Sea (Survival Stories) Pt.2
by Angel Nunez - In this article (Part 2) I want to document real close encounters of San Pedranos that we may remember for generations. They are real stories that have been told throughout the years. They were a big deal back then, when local fishermen and divers lacked the modern equipment, technology and medical services were scarce on the island. Enjoy this two-part article with incredible stories about our local fishermen. THE LASH OF A STING RAY
Close Encounters at Sea (Survival Stories)
by Angel Nunez - In this article I want to document real close encounters of San Pedranos that we may remember for generations. They are real stories that have been told throughout the years. They were a big deal back then, when local fishermen and divers lacked the modern equipment, technology and medical services were scarce on the island. Enjoy this two-part article with incredible stories about our local fishermen.
San Pedro’s Biggest Human Tragedy
One of the most outstanding qualities of San Pedro has been its unity as a community. San Pedranos celebrated each other's joys and felt each other's pains. At one point in time, if there was a death in the village and there was a big dance party being planned on that same day, it was postponed or even cancelled. Call it love, call it caring or respect, it is certainly solidarity and unity.
Children and Early Village Life in San Pedro
-by Maestro Angel Nuñez - When I look at children today I realize how different children in the the early village were and how rich their lives were. Their chores were different and healthy, their games and playtime were distinctly interesting, their social life was totally humble and healthy, and their discipline was centered around respect, humbleness and obedience.
The Fourth Industry of San Pedro
The industries of San Pedro in chronological order are logwood cutting, the chicle, coconut farming and then commercial fishing. As the village grew, subsistence fishing was not enough to keep San Pedro moving forward. There were more people in the village but everyone was practically involved in fishing, so there was need for a market to sell the resources of the sea.
A Time When Fishermen Considered Lobsters a Pest
CHRONICLES by Maestro Angel Nunez - Every job has its due share of struggles and joyful rewarding moments. The store owner, food vendor, the garbage collector, the architect and the mechanic, even the doctor and the politician all have their glorious moments to celebrate and their struggles and lamentable moments. Today I want to take you through a memorable period in San Pedro to honor the early fishermen who set the pace for the development of this "Our Isla Bonita".
I'll See You at Fido’s
By MAESTRO Angel Nuñez - His name is Wilfrido Nuñez but everyone got to call him Fido. He is perhaps the most mentioned name in San Pedro and even after his death, his name is mentioned daily by hundreds of locals and tourists when they say, "I'll meet you at Fido's".
The Renowned Blake Family
The story behind the stories of people, events and turning points - by Maestro Angel Nunez The Blake Family is synonymous with the owners of the entire island of Ambergris Caye and therefore San Pedro. So here goes this chronicle to honor this great family thanks to whom we all here today. The Blakes left their marks in San Pedro and footprints in the lives of San Pedranos.
Life of Early Fishermen on Ambergris Caye
The stories behind the stories of people, events, and milestones - by Maestro Angel Nuñez In Belize City they were described as men with their opened up shirts and rolled up pants; but that was only in appearance. Their lives were notably different. The early fishermen between 1930 to 1950 were equipped with three pieces of equipment - hand lines and hooks, cast nets and seine nets.
Hardships and Glory of the Coconut Industry
Yes, we are aware that we have published a story presenting the first industry that the island folks engaged in, but that was a job done outside of the island and carried out in northern Belize and southern Mexico in the states of Quintana Roo and Yucatan. Today we are presenting the very first industry that the San Pedranos were engaged right on the island of Ambergris Caye.
The First Industry of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye
Before you begin reading, pause a moment and make wild guess. What was the first industry that that the early settlers and founders of San Pedro were engaged in? I will take you back to 1890 or about 130 years ago. At that time the villagers were living with the corn which they planted and the fish which they caught near the shores. Lots of corn tortillas and plenty of fish was an excellent supply of carbs and protein and by no means can we consider this underprivileged.
The Founding of San Pedro
CHRONICLES OF SAN PEDRO by Maestro Angel NunezA document of people, events and turning points of San Pedro Ambergris Caye THE FOUNDING OF SAN PEDRO