John E. Benitz Page last modified:
Missing cover.

  Albums
1 - Chaco estancias
2 - Early Argentina
3 - Family Parties
4 - Algarrobos
5 - Algarrobos
6 = Córdoba Hills
7 - California & Arg.
8 - Camps & Hills
 — ALL Photos

Photo Album Nº 6
Córdoba Hills, 1900’s

This album, labelled Early Córdoba Hills, contains about 90 photos.  All were taken by John in the Córdoba Hills (Sierras Chicas de Córdoba), for the most part at the family summer homes.

The photos are large; the album has two per page.  We numbered the photos in sequence, then arranged them at two per row (almost in sequence).  For reference purposes, we identify each photo with the album prefix (Alb.6) and a sequential number.  Where possible, we have named the people in the photos – often informed guess-work, making us subject to error, particularly the women in blinding white dresses & faces shadowed by large hats.  Some photos have been labelled (white pencil on dark paper) but not by John or Marjorie, most likely by Afra Peard, wife of their son John.  Many labels omit the names of people in the photo who would be familiar to Aphra’s children, but not us.  We placed the labels within “double-quotes”.

Dates: One or two photos are dated, but for the rest we estimated the year of each photo by its content, especially the children present and their apparent ages.  When we had nothing to go by, we put “ca.1900's” – most likely taken between 1904 and 1916.

People:w/o surnames: Benitz family members;  Bz: Benitz;  K-Bz: Kolmer-Benitz;
Hg: Higham;  Mac: Macintosh;  Sc: Schreiber;  St: Storey

———« Places »———

Los Terrones: Is a small picturesque valley of red sandstone formations in the Sierras Chicas a few kilometers north-east of Capilla del Monte (see photos 54-66 below, and Album 2, page 11).  John E. Benitz bought it in the 1900s.  In the 1960s a squatter would attempt to charge an entrance fee.  John’s descendants neglected to pay the provincial property taxes and title was eventually forfeited.  Today, it is a privately owned park.  [On the web, search for: "Parque Los Terrones Cordoba Argentina"]

Summer Homes:

Cruz Grande
John & Marjorie’s, was the first of the Benitz summer homes built in the Cruz Grande river valley, (before 1904?).  It proved fatally unsafe on March 20, 1916, when a major flash flood (creciente) washed through, taking the lives of John & daughter Marjory-Daw.  Sold in: 19xx.
NOTE: “Cruz Grande” is the name of the river, the neighbourhood on that river (north of La Cumbre), and of John’s summer home in that neigbourhood.  On this page, if the name is not qualified, we mean John’s summer home.
El Rincón
Alfred & Olga's summer home up-river from John’s Cruz Grande.  Alfred purchased it in 1908 and the valley watershed above it as far as the 70 foot waterfalls (to protect his water supply).  The most beautiful of all, it is still owned by their descendants.
Greystone
William & Clara's summer home in Los Cocos, about 3 km. north of Cruz Grande.  Purchased by Clara in 1903, sold by her children in 1944.
Los Nogales
John & Josephine (Benitz) Schreiber home, down-river next to Cruz Grande, the land was purchased in 1907, they sold it in 19xx.
Villa Josefina
It was Josephine Kolmer-Benitz’s last home, built for her by her son John across the Cruz Grande river from his summer home.  She lived there from April 25, 1909, until she died August 20, 1912 (see her diaries).  After John died, Alfred purchased it (twice) from John’s sons.  It was sold out of the family soon after Alfred died in 1937.

———«♦»———

We are enormously grateful to John C. Benitz for making this album available to us.
(Copied on 15 October, 2011.)

Alb.6-01

Missing image.

Macintosh family gathering?
Back: John, 5 young ladies, Uncle Mac, Harley St.?
Tom St?, Josephine K-Bz, Jo, Elsie, Marjory-Daw,
Marjorie Mc-Bz, 2 ladies each with a child
John(jr) in waggon?
Cruz Grande –(Dated: 4/2/08 or 09)

Alb.6-02

Missing image.

Back of Cruz Grande,
acequia & vegetable garden

Hillside road to El Rincón
View N-E across valleyca.1908+

Alb.6-03

Missing image.

Back of Cruz Grande
View north – ca.1908+

Alb.6-04

Missing image.

Back of Cruz Grande
ca.1900’s

Alb.6-05

Missing image.

A walk in the hills
Who? (Also: 38, 40, 41, 43, 44)
Late 1900's

Alb.6-06

Missing image.

Group at Cruz Grande
Back: Alfred, lady turned, John
Sandy St, Agnes Mac-St, Tom St,
Elsie Mac., Marjorie Mac-Bz

ca.1907

Alb.6-07

Missing image.

Cruz Grande quebrada
L: Cruz Grande – R: Villa Josefina
El Rincón beyond farthest alamos
(2010: alamos still there)
View east up valley – ca.1908+

Alb.6-08

Missing image.

Cruz Grande
View: South across valley – ca.1900’s

Alb.6-09

Missing image.

“Rincon built here after“
The chiquero (goat farm)
ca.1907-1908

Alb.6-10

Missing image.

“Aunt Elsie painting Villa Josefina sign”
ca.1909

Alb.6-11

Missing image.

“Way upriver past Rincon“
Likely: Emma & Clara Sc.
(Also: 17, 18, 19, 21, 23, 45, 47)
ca.1905

Alb.6-12

Missing image.

Josephine Kolmer’s 80th ?
Villa Josefina

Alfredito Bz, Beatrice Hg, Bertha Sc-Hg,
Frank Hg jr., lady, John Bz, Josephine K,
Hattie or Katie Bz, 3 ladies & 2 kids,
Mrs. Bischoff, 2 ladies, Alfred Bz
(names per album, corrected)   ca.1910

Alb.6-13

Missing image.

Villa Josefina
Left: Road to El Rincón
View east up the Cruz Grande quebrada
1908+

Alb.6-14

Missing image.

Cruz Grande
Damage from a flash-flood

Likely: Jo
ca.1908

Alb.6-15

Missing image.

Villa Josefina
From across the river, view S-E
ca.1908+

Alb.6-16

Missing image.

Cruz Grande
Damage from a flash-flood,
a retaining wall was later built

Likely: Jo
(Also: 15, 27)ca.1908

Alb.6-17

Missing image.

Cruz Grande river
Likely: Emma & Clara Sc.
(Also: 11, 18, 19, 21, 23, 45, 47)
ca.1905

Alb.6-18

Missing image.

“Driving out Old Coach Cruz Grande”
On side-saddles, likely: Emma & Clara Sc.
Carriage: Marjorie (driving), lady, girl, John jr.
(Also: 11, 17, 19, 21, 23, 45, 47)
ca.1905

Alb.6-19

Missing image.

Cruz Grande quebrada ?
Likely: Emma & Clara Sc.
(Also: 11, 17, 18, 21, 23, 45, 47)
ca.1905

Alb.6-20

Missing image.

View west onto Pampa de Olaen
from hills east above Cruz Grarnde
ca.1900’s

Alb.6-21

Missing image.

Likely Emma & Clara Sc.
(Also: 11, 17, 18, 19, 23, 45, 47)
ca.1905

Alb.6-22

Missing image.

Villa Josefina
in the Cruz Grande quebrada (valley)
ca.1908+

Alb.6-23

Missing image.

Likely: Emma Schreiber
(Also: 11, 17, 18, 19, 21, 45, 47)
ca.1905

Alb.6-24

Missing image.

Rock wall (pilca), Villa Josefina
ca.1908+

Alb.6-25

Missing image.

Cruz Grande
Damage from a flash-flood,
a retaining wall was later built

Likely: Jo
(Also: 16, 27)ca.1908

Alb.6-26

Missing image.

Cruz Grande
Left: lady, Elsie Mac, Marjorie, Elsie
Sitting: boy, Marjory-Daw, John, boy, girl, girl, Jo
Right: Josephine K, Mrs. Bischoff,
Bertha Sc-Hg, Josephine Bz-Sc, Alfred
Sitting: girl
ca.1910

Alb.6-27

Missing image.

Cruz Grande
Damage from a flash-flood
before a retaining wall was built

(Also: 16, 25)ca.1908

Alb.6-28

Missing image.

Cruz Grande
80+ Cordobeses
ca.1900's

Alb.6-29

Missing image.

“Miss Drumby, John, Alfred, Grannie”
(Grannie: Marjorie Mac-Bz)
ca.1910

Alb.6-30

Missing image.

Informal lunch outside
Asado? – Too many hats!
ca.1900's

Alb.6-31

Missing image.

Cruz Grande river
John, Alfred, Beatrice Hg, Frank Hg
Late 1900's

Alb.6-32

Missing image.

Group photo - Córdobeses?
Late 1900's

Alb.6-33

Missing image.

“Poncho Sellers”
Late 1900's

Alb.6-34

Missing image.

“Walnut tree” – Villa Josefina
Jo with the horses?
Late 1900's

Alb.6-35

Missing image.

“2 maids Sulema Rita   Aunt Agnes (Storey)
Uncle William”
Indian blanket vendors
L-R: vendor children, Sulema, Rita, vendor,
Agnes Mc-St (+child), vendor, Elsie Mac ?,
Josephine K, Alfred, Marjorie, John, William
Late 1900's

Alb.6-36

Missing image.

Back of Villa Josefina ?
View west past house into valley beyond
Late 1900's

Alb.6-37

Missing image.

“Cruz Grande  Alfred  Agnes
Old Grannie Josephine  Grannie B”

L-R: Alfred, Agnes Mac-St, Josepine K-Bz,
Marjorie Mac-Bz, Elsie ?

Late 1900's

Alb.6-38

Missing image.

Cruz Grande river
Who? (Also: 05, 40, 41, 43, 44)
Late 1900's

Alb.6-39

Missing image.

“Lower rooms Villa J”
Late 1900's

Alb.6-40

Missing image.

Cruz Grande river
Who? (Also: 05, 38, 41, 43, 44)
Late 1900's

Alb.6-41

Missing image.

Cruz Grande river
Who? (Also: 05, 38, 40, 43, 44)
Late 1900's

Alb.6-42

Missing image.

Track across Cruz Grande river?
Elsie, child, Jo, Marjory-Daw, John
(Faded patch even paler in original)
ca.1907

Alb.6-43

Missing image.

Cruz Grande river
Who? (Also: 05, 38, 40, 41, 44)
Late 1900's

Alb.6-44

Missing image.

Cruz Grande river
Who? (Also: 05, 38, 40, 41, 43)
Late 1900's

Alb.6-45

Missing image.

Cruz Grande river
Likely: Emma & Clara Sc.
(Also: 11, 17, 18, 19, 21, 23, 47)
ca.1905

Alb.6-46

Missing image.

Donkey pack train
Córdoba Hills
Late 1900's

Alb.6-47

Missing image.

Cruz Grande river
Likely: Emma & Clara Sc.
(Also: 11, 17, 18, 19, 21, 23, 45)
ca.1905

Alb.6-48

Missing image.

“Fox with Juan Mottino’s son”
Córdoba Hills
Late 1900's

Alb.6-49

Missing image.

“Christmas Tree Cruz Grande 1906±”
ca.1906

Alb.6-51

Missing image.

Jo’s Gallici parrot
Late 1900's

Alb.6-50

Missing image.

Derailed freight train wagon
Córdoba Hills
Late 1900's

Alb.6-52

Missing image.

Derailed freight train wagon
Córdoba Hills
Late 1900's

Alb.6-53

Missing image.

“Greystone Pool
William Benitz Family”

L-R, standing: (3)Alfred?  (7)William
Late 1900's

Alb.6-55

Missing image.

“William B    Clara”
Greystone Pool?
Late 1900's


Los Terrones
Capilla del Monte, Córdoba
Late 1900's
See its description in the introduction above; for more photos, see Album 2, page 11.

Alb.6-54

Missing image.

“Terrones Camping”
Late 1900's

Alb.6-56

Missing image.

Los Terrones
Late 1900's

Alb.6-57

Missing image.

Los Terrones
Late 1900's

Alb.6-58

Missing image.

Los Terrones
Late 1900's

Alb.6-59

Missing image.

Los Terrones
Late 1900's

Alb.6-60

Missing image.

Los Terrones
Late 1900's

Alb.6-61

Missing image.

Los Terrones
Late 1900's

Alb.6-62

Missing image.

Los Terrones
Late 1900's

Alb.6-63

Missing image.

Los Terrones
Dots in the sky likely are condors.
Late 1900's

Alb.6-64

Missing image.

Los Terrones
Dots in the sky likely are condors.
Late 1900's

Alb.6-65

Missing image.

Caretaker & his house?
Los Terrones

Late 1900's

Alb.6-67

Missing image.

Los Terrones
View out to valley west of the Sierras Chicas
Late 1900's

Alb.6-68

Missing image.

Los Terrones
Late 1900's

Alb.6-66

Missing image.

“John   Jo   Marjory D
Alred    Elsie”

Cruz Grande or Los Terrones?
ca. 1906


Alb.6-69

Missing image.

Unknown
Córdoba Hills
Late 1900's

Alb.6-70

Missing image.

Manual road work
Cruz Grande river ford (?)
Late 1900's

Alb.6-71

Missing image.

Train wreck – head-on
Córdoba Hills
Late 1900's

Alb.6-72

Missing image.

“Aunt Elsie Macintosh”
ca.1909

Alb.6-73

Missing image.

Cruz grande fruit & nut orchard?
Late 1900's

Alb.6-74

Missing image.

“Road to Villa Josefina”
ca.1909

Alb.6-75

Missing image.

Poncho sellers?
Córdoba Hills
Late 1900's

Alb.6-76

Missing image.

Cruz Grande
Late 1900's

Alb.6-77

Missing image.

John & Alfred
Cub Scouts

Cruz Grande
Late 1900's

Alb.6-79

Missing image.

Cruz Grande
Who & what game?
Late 1900's

Alb.6-78

Missing image.

Grape Arbour”
Cruz Grande
Late 1900's

Alb.6-80

Missing image.

Grape Arbour
Cruz Grande
Late 1900's

Alb.6-81

Missing image.

“Juan Mottino
Sulema & family”

ca.1908+

Alb.6-82

Missing image.

“Todd’s house”
ca.1908+

Alb.6-83

Missing image.

“Cruz Grande” (hard to read)
El Cajon? – Dated: 23/2/02

Alb.6-84

Missing image.

Lujan
Farm down valley – ca.1908+

Alb.6-85

Missing image.

“Lujan below in Valley
given to Alfred B. jr”

ca.1908+

Alb.6-86

Missing image.

Lujan
ca.1908+

Alb.6-87

Missing image.

Lujan
ca.1908+

Alb.6-88

Missing image.

Lujan
Aermotor windmill, from Agar Cross & Cia.
ca.1908+

Alb.6-89

Missing image.

Lujan
ca.1908+

Alb.6-90

Missing image.

Out for a walk
ca.1908+

Alb.6-91

Missing image.

Lujan ?
(Spraying against locusts?) ca.1908+

Alb.6-92

Missing image.

Long ride?
ca.1908+

Alb.6-93

Missing image.

On the hills above
ca.1908+

Alb.6-94

Missing image.

Los Nogales
Alfred D. Bz & John Bz
ca.1908+

Alb.6-95

Missing image.

“Nogales
(Aunt Josephine Schreiber)”

John Schreiber, Alfred D. Bz, John Bz
ca.1908+

Alb.6-96

Missing image.

“Nogales”
John Schreiber, Alfred D. Bz, John Bz
ca.1908+


© Peter Benitz (Benitz Family)