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maxim

Mar 21, 2009, 9:48 PM

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Who is Edward James?

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As a Brit, living in Mazatlan for 4 years I was interested in talking to our Mexican friends about their recent trip to the south. I apologize for not knowing where in the south.
My wife speaks Spanish while I don't do too well in the language thing. I regret it but that is the way it is. Our good friends speak a little English but the conversations tends to be in Spanish and I nod a lot and mime well. I am a photographer and my Mexican friends showed me his new digital camera and asks me to download it for us all to see. Hey, the visual thing I can do. We all sat down and I downloaded 550 pictures. Twenty years ago you took 36 mm film and that was your vacation photos. Today you can keep pressing that button until your finger hurts, then you pass it to your spouse and = well you get the picture excuse the pun.
While my friend is no photographer, I got the impression of this wonderful place in the mountains, that was developed by some crazy Brit in the 1930's. Being a Brit myself I was really interested in this place. I know it is in the south of Mexico and in the mountains, probably the Sierra Madre range. Not sure who the developer was but it could have been
a Mr James? There was an Edward James who travelled to Mexico and and had more money that sense. I supose I could Google it but if there is anyone who has visited this place, I would love to get your impressions.

raferguson

Mar 21, 2009, 10:10 PM

Post #2 of 9 (3223 views)

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Re: [maxim] Who is Edward James?

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An article on Xilitla, Hidalgo. I have not been there yet.

http://www.mexconnect.com/...n-a-jungle-in-mexico

http://www.fergusonsculpture.com

jerezano

Mar 22, 2009, 9:28 PM

Post #3 of 9 (3178 views)

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Re: [raferguson] Who is Edward James?

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Hello,

Better question would be: Who was Edward James?. A very rich, illegitimate offspring of British Royalty who came to Mexico, created a fantasy land there in Xilitla and died. Created a fantastic mansion of extreme Art Nouveau type in Britain but tired of the demands of his high social position in Britain and perhaps as a "remittance man" to reduce political possible claims on British throne sailed off to the romantic tropics of Mexico. Established an orchid garden here which has now disappeared. Ruins of his Xilitla fantasy are now a National Monument supposedly under care of Mexican government caretakers but rapidly going into ruin. Xilitla is a one day trip but not return from Brownsville TX to south of Tampico. It is just off the old Pan American Highway. Easy trip. If you reach Tamasunchale (Thomas and Charley) you have gone too far and need to go back. Lodging available. CD of Edward James works both in England and in Mexico is available on the internet.Guided tours are/were available. Normal house in Xilitla was converted into a hotel. Probably still operative. Very eccentric person. Spent a whale of a lot of money on his fantasy here in Mexico. Pictures on the CD taken at the time of its glory more impressive than the actual ruins.James appears as a rather unpleasant individual. CD made from an old movie documentary? Don't know. Worth the trip once. Go back? Why? Opinions my own of course. I was there about 10 to 15 years ago but would need to check my diary and not worth it.

jerezano

sandykayak

Mar 23, 2009, 1:55 PM

Post #4 of 9 (3139 views)

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Re: [jerezano] Who is Edward James?

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Also included in this DVD

(The) Other Side of Mexico Fran & Brooke Reidelberger 2007 88 mins. Plays worldwide (Includes Mexico City, Patzcuaro, Janitzio Island, Capacuaro, Bernal, Jalpan, Las Pozas, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Guadalajara, Lake Chapala, Chapala, Ajijic, Jocotopec, Tequila, Sayula, Colima, and the Santuario Mariposa Monarca.) (www.travelvideostore.com) $24.95.
Sandy Kramer
Miami, Fla & El Parque

tonyburton

Mar 24, 2009, 2:11 PM

Post #5 of 9 (3099 views)

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Re: [sandykayak] Who is Edward James?

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Another good source is the documentary film "Edward James - Builder of Dreams" (by Avery Danziger). Top Drawer Productions. 1995. See http://www.junglegossip.com/
Xilitla is well worth a visit.

(This post was edited by tonyburton on Mar 24, 2009, 2:11 PM)

Hound Dog

Mar 26, 2009, 4:19 PM

Post #6 of 9 (3021 views)

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Re: [tonyburton] Who is Edward James?

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Could Edward James come into North America and wreak havoc with the local architectural style the way he did in Mexico when there was no zoning integrity and he showed no respect for local tropical flora and gardening? Is this not an example of colonialism´s worst depredations? Was the Valley of Mexico improved with Spanish architecture and, later, urban congestion? Was Addis Ababa improved with pizza during the 1930s? Was the German occupation of Paris a golden age?

(This post was edited by Hound Dog on Mar 26, 2009, 4:21 PM)

tonyburton

Mar 26, 2009, 4:53 PM

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Re: [Hound Dog] Who is Edward James?

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Certainly food for thought, but (putting my geographer hat on now) I think you have your scales all mixed up. A better comparison might be to the many follies constructed in landscape gardens in England and elsewhere in previous centuries. They were (and are) magnificent aberrations with no significant influence beyond a radius of a few kilometers at most, but fun even so. Like them or not, the world would be a more boring place if it weren't for such eccentrics as Edward James.

Jane.Wilkinson

Mar 30, 2009, 8:50 PM

Post #8 of 9 (2948 views)

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Re: [maxim] Who is Edward James?

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We visited Xilitla and Las Pozas a couple of years ago and enjoyed it very much. We like exploring Mexico and going to somewhat off-the-beaten path kind of places, and this route qualifies. It is not a particularly easy spot to get to, but we did a week long loop by driving east from San Luis Potosi to Ciudad de Valles, stopping at Lago Media Luna and Tamasopa Falls. We then and then turned south to Xilitla. We drive a small camper and received permission to camp right in front of the entrance. After that, we turned southwest to explore Fray Junipera Sera's mission towns of the Sierra Gorda. One drives over the through the "Doorway to Heaven" - so named because of the high altitude - from the wet side of the mountains to the arid side. We ended up in Pena de Bernal and Queretaro.

Las Pozas is hard to describe - sort of Max Ernst meets Timothy Leary meets Indiana Jones, with a pinch of the Hobbit thrown in. The jungle foliage was as interesting (at least to me) as the surrealistic concrete confections. I definitely think it is worth the trip.

Jane Wilkinson
www.gringodog.net

geri

Apr 5, 2009, 7:31 AM

Post #9 of 9 (2837 views)

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Re: [tonyburton] Who is Edward James?

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I agree with Tony. Not a whole lot of landscape was ruined and for those with a bent toward escapism/whimsy, it's a fun place to visit. James' was a friend, or at least an acquaintance of Dali, I believe. Maybe the world has too few James' and Dali's? Just one way to look at it. At any rate, best not to view it as architecture. It's a hoot staying in James' house which is now a hotel and incorporates his bizarre perspective. There are those who would say he did more good for this small dot on the map of Mexico than harm.