Los Algodones in the morning, looking south from entry gate, March 27, 2014
In other words, the international line created a sharp gradient, over which money from Northside accordingly spilled; and Mexicans came from all over Southside to be nourished by that money.
– William T. Vollman, Imperial
I got to see how things have changed over the years with Algodones. 40 years ago the town boasted a total of two dentists and several curio shops. One of the dentists did late night advertising on KBLU TV. “We even have an X-Ray Machine”, was the boast. Algodones provided a modest outlet to visitors. The main draw was San Luis on the South.
I came back to the area 20 years later and to my shock Algodones became the draw card to winter visitors and the casual visitor. Location, location, location! It was 2 miles from I-8 and minutes away from Yuma’s snowbirds. San Luis didn’t have that.
The number of dentists and eye doctors that this town contains must be a record. They’re everywhere. How is the dental service? A little behind the times but extremely affordable. You can get tip-top service for less than your co-pay that you would pay up here.
As much as I have visited the place — you also see the dynamics on how they do business. Although I haven’t Googled it, I’m sure that someone has done some type of paper on how the place is operated. It’s efficient on several levels.
Yes, it fills a nitche.
dg