You’ve introduced us to so many brave and dedicated women (and men) archaeologists, explorers, photographers, artists, writers and trail blazers! Including this amazing couple! Wow, the Yucatan attracted so many exceptional people way back when. These two really faced some major obstacles and bad luck, but thankfully, some long-overdue recognition finally happened. Wonderful photos, love the camping, the hammocks with guitar nearby! They discovered the famous, iconic ChacMool! So enterprising, even taking advantage of CA gold rush opportunities! I bet the book, A Dream of Maya, is fascinating.
Thank you, Barbra! I appreciate that! I do love writing about all these Trail Blazers.And more to come. Yes, sometimes real life is quite shocking. I had no idea about the Mennonites!
I love this! I've likely come across mentions of these folks, and now must review and search for more. I have to find out if she and H. Thompson ever crossed paths in "Atlantis," beyond Chichen Itza, Progresso, Yucatan. Wonderful photos and I wish I could retroactively support their efforts.
I used to have a photo of me near the Chichen Itza Chacmool, before it was closed off. It's incredible it could've ended up in Philadelphia I think you said.
Can you imagine hanging your hammock and playing your guitar in one of the palaces? Precious. I'm sorry they had to go hungry, and hope they know their works are still inspiriting others in adventure.
Oh, thought it was A Dream of Maya. Since it’s kind of recent, you may find a not too expensive used copy on Abe Books or everyone’s old standby… it really does delve into their earnestness, productivity and heartache.
I finally did get it through openbook/internetarchive. I signed up and was able to borrow it. This was the only online version I found. Mr Desmond has quite a thing for Alice and Augustus, as you know. It's all new again!
Wikipedia's synopsis is congruent with several books by I’ve read concerning Edward H. Thompson (thanks to you). I don't consider wiki a primary source but it appears accurate here:
'''' In 1879, Popular Science Monthly published "Atlantis Not a Myth", an article by Thompson in which he argued that the indigenous civilizations of North and Central America could be remnants of the lost continent of Atlantis......Massachusetts Senator George Frisbie Hoar, persuaded Thompson to move to Yucatán to explore the Maya ruins in exchange for receiving an appointment as American Consul. Thompson arrived in Mérida, Yucatán, in 1885 and lived there for forty years...
...... Thompson in 1894 purchased the plantation that included the site of Chichen Itza. He rebuilt the hacienda, which had been destroyed in the Caste War of Yucatán.
……He made a series of plaster casts of Maya sculptures and architecture, particularly from Uxmal and Labná, which were exhibited at the World Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois in 1893.''''
Both Alice Le Plongeon and Thompson are mentioned in “City of the Sacred Well,” T.A. Willard 1926, which I read a few months ago, again, thanks to you leading me on a deep dive of this history of Yucatan! He must've known of her, I may have missed it in my readings and will look further. Thanks for another rabbit hole! xo
This was a fascinating account of history, Jeanine. I love your writing style. It captured my interest and kept me wanting to know more. Mexico has such a rich historical background. It seems the more I learn about it, the more I discover areas to explore. Great piece of work! Thank you for sharing it.
Very welcome, Jan. Yes, truly they were. Really risk takers and they did make some strides into the pyramid explorations. She wrote prolifically on returning to US, too.
A well-researched and richly descriptive essay. You blend storytelling with historical insight, creating a vivid, accessible portrait of the Le Plongeons’ adventurous legacy. Thanks Jeanine.
It’s a cool title and one of the covers (it apparently had many printings) is quite exotic. Check Abe’s Books along with everyone’s standby! Desmond wrote another book about her also titled, A Lioness in Love.’
Glad you’re checked it out! It really is. And Desmond wrote another 2 book about Dixon that sound interesting: Yucatán Through her Eyes. And A Lioness in Love—catchy titles! I’m going to find and read. I loved your tagline for the post: Before there was Indiana Jones there was Alice Dixon~great!
Desmond’s lifelong passion for them is riveting! Definitely on the prowl for more of his books and writings.
Tangent: FWIW when I started reading up on Thompson, I wasn’t familiar with Progreso, Mexico. Eventually I learned of its link to Yucatan’s underground water system and Chixulub—which since I went to school is now credited by some w killing off the dinosaurs.
What a vivid, adventurous tale—equal parts Indiana Jones and spiritualist séance! It’s wild how ahead of her time (and also totally off-track!) Alice and Augustus were. I had no idea the ChacMool’s “discovery” had such a dramatic backstory—complete with mystical codices and missing paychecks.
Thanks for continuing to unearth these rich and layered stories from Maya country.
I know! The book A Dream of Maya was part history, part potboiler, I think bc the Le Plongeons were a bit wacky, though thorough in their pyramid investigations. Le Plongeon was a bit of a loner and I think he trusted too much, and also had wild beliefs. Desmond, the author, has a fairly big name in the Maya world scholar game, which I wasn't aware of till recently, doing double duty as both archeologist and anthropologist. He wrote another book about Alice which I have to find titled, "A Lioness in Love," much more biographical about her alone. Do stay tuned, Nadine, for further potboiler details, how she was always armed with her Remington to ward off Maya attacks, etc etc etc. I'll write an addendum to this one.
What an amazing story! I didn't know much about them (besides the story of them discovering the chacmool in Chichen), so most of this was new to me. I understand that the scientific world didn't take them seriously after the myth they came up with, but they were still an amazing couple! And thank you for highlighting Alice in the story! Everything she did and the way she lived her life were so revolutionary for her time! I enjoyed reading about her.
In many ways she carried on their journey/ story bc of her prolific writing and also her youth in comparison to Augustus. But what a trailblazer he was/earthquake studies in Peru, Bolivia, the gold rush. If you can find the Desmond book you will truly enjoy. Also Desmond has quite the stature in many circles that I did not know of.
You’ve introduced us to so many brave and dedicated women (and men) archaeologists, explorers, photographers, artists, writers and trail blazers! Including this amazing couple! Wow, the Yucatan attracted so many exceptional people way back when. These two really faced some major obstacles and bad luck, but thankfully, some long-overdue recognition finally happened. Wonderful photos, love the camping, the hammocks with guitar nearby! They discovered the famous, iconic ChacMool! So enterprising, even taking advantage of CA gold rush opportunities! I bet the book, A Dream of Maya, is fascinating.
Thank you, Barbra! I appreciate that! I do love writing about all these Trail Blazers.And more to come. Yes, sometimes real life is quite shocking. I had no idea about the Mennonites!
I love this! I've likely come across mentions of these folks, and now must review and search for more. I have to find out if she and H. Thompson ever crossed paths in "Atlantis," beyond Chichen Itza, Progresso, Yucatan. Wonderful photos and I wish I could retroactively support their efforts.
I used to have a photo of me near the Chichen Itza Chacmool, before it was closed off. It's incredible it could've ended up in Philadelphia I think you said.
Can you imagine hanging your hammock and playing your guitar in one of the palaces? Precious. I'm sorry they had to go hungry, and hope they know their works are still inspiriting others in adventure.
PS re them camping out at Uxmal! So incredible! Do try to find a copy of A Dream of Maya @Neon Pothos. You’ll enjoy!
Haven't yet found a public domain copy of "A Dream...; may get elsewhere.
However I've downloaded her "Here and There in Yucatan" and "Queen Moo's Talisman: the Fall of the Maya Empire." Extraordinary!
Oh, thought it was A Dream of Maya. Since it’s kind of recent, you may find a not too expensive used copy on Abe Books or everyone’s old standby… it really does delve into their earnestness, productivity and heartache.
I finally did get it through openbook/internetarchive. I signed up and was able to borrow it. This was the only online version I found. Mr Desmond has quite a thing for Alice and Augustus, as you know. It's all new again!
Can't wait to delve in.
I don’t believe so as Thompson lived in the 1930s. I have a post about him later this summer!
Wikipedia's synopsis is congruent with several books by I’ve read concerning Edward H. Thompson (thanks to you). I don't consider wiki a primary source but it appears accurate here:
'''' In 1879, Popular Science Monthly published "Atlantis Not a Myth", an article by Thompson in which he argued that the indigenous civilizations of North and Central America could be remnants of the lost continent of Atlantis......Massachusetts Senator George Frisbie Hoar, persuaded Thompson to move to Yucatán to explore the Maya ruins in exchange for receiving an appointment as American Consul. Thompson arrived in Mérida, Yucatán, in 1885 and lived there for forty years...
...... Thompson in 1894 purchased the plantation that included the site of Chichen Itza. He rebuilt the hacienda, which had been destroyed in the Caste War of Yucatán.
……He made a series of plaster casts of Maya sculptures and architecture, particularly from Uxmal and Labná, which were exhibited at the World Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois in 1893.''''
Both Alice Le Plongeon and Thompson are mentioned in “City of the Sacred Well,” T.A. Willard 1926, which I read a few months ago, again, thanks to you leading me on a deep dive of this history of Yucatan! He must've known of her, I may have missed it in my readings and will look further. Thanks for another rabbit hole! xo
Thanks for setting me straight!
This was a fascinating account of history, Jeanine. I love your writing style. It captured my interest and kept me wanting to know more. Mexico has such a rich historical background. It seems the more I learn about it, the more I discover areas to explore. Great piece of work! Thank you for sharing it.
Thanks Lois, and you’re in the right spot to do so! How’s SMA treating you?
Wow, how extraordinary Jeanine, thank you so much for this fascinating story! What a pair!
Very welcome, Jan. Yes, truly they were. Really risk takers and they did make some strides into the pyramid explorations. She wrote prolifically on returning to US, too.
This is a wonderful story about a fascinating couple from an amazing period of history!
Thanks for restack Tinashe, and your thoughtful comments!!
A well-researched and richly descriptive essay. You blend storytelling with historical insight, creating a vivid, accessible portrait of the Le Plongeons’ adventurous legacy. Thanks Jeanine.
PS and thanks also for restacking!
Thanks for the restack Denise!
Interesting story, Jeanine! I'm always impressed with your research and clear writing. Thanks.
Thanks so much Mikel! Appreciate, as always, your comments!
Thank you for this! Now I'm on the hunt for a copy of Queen Moo's Talisman, mostly because I like the title.
It’s a cool title and one of the covers (it apparently had many printings) is quite exotic. Check Abe’s Books along with everyone’s standby! Desmond wrote another book about her also titled, A Lioness in Love.’
It's also available on Internet Archive
Great! I’ll read it too. Thanks.
Beautiful book! I downloaded and since I'm sequestered in a heat wave what better excuse to read of jungle happenings. Thanks!!
Glad you’re checked it out! It really is. And Desmond wrote another 2 book about Dixon that sound interesting: Yucatán Through her Eyes. And A Lioness in Love—catchy titles! I’m going to find and read. I loved your tagline for the post: Before there was Indiana Jones there was Alice Dixon~great!
Desmond’s lifelong passion for them is riveting! Definitely on the prowl for more of his books and writings.
Tangent: FWIW when I started reading up on Thompson, I wasn’t familiar with Progreso, Mexico. Eventually I learned of its link to Yucatan’s underground water system and Chixulub—which since I went to school is now credited by some w killing off the dinosaurs.
It never ends, does it! 🤣
Amazing story. Thanks for sharing this!
My pleasure, Claire! It is amazing--a very different couple for sure.
What a vivid, adventurous tale—equal parts Indiana Jones and spiritualist séance! It’s wild how ahead of her time (and also totally off-track!) Alice and Augustus were. I had no idea the ChacMool’s “discovery” had such a dramatic backstory—complete with mystical codices and missing paychecks.
Thanks for continuing to unearth these rich and layered stories from Maya country.
100% agree, Nadine!
I know! The book A Dream of Maya was part history, part potboiler, I think bc the Le Plongeons were a bit wacky, though thorough in their pyramid investigations. Le Plongeon was a bit of a loner and I think he trusted too much, and also had wild beliefs. Desmond, the author, has a fairly big name in the Maya world scholar game, which I wasn't aware of till recently, doing double duty as both archeologist and anthropologist. He wrote another book about Alice which I have to find titled, "A Lioness in Love," much more biographical about her alone. Do stay tuned, Nadine, for further potboiler details, how she was always armed with her Remington to ward off Maya attacks, etc etc etc. I'll write an addendum to this one.
I read this and imagined Remington like my hair straighteners 😆 let's do an alternative history version of this 😂
Oh I love that! You always make me laugh!
Exploring Mayan ruins during a caste war takes lots of bravery. Very interesting story, Jeanine. Thank you for sharing this!
Thanks for the restack @Daniel Catena!
What an amazing story! I didn't know much about them (besides the story of them discovering the chacmool in Chichen), so most of this was new to me. I understand that the scientific world didn't take them seriously after the myth they came up with, but they were still an amazing couple! And thank you for highlighting Alice in the story! Everything she did and the way she lived her life were so revolutionary for her time! I enjoyed reading about her.
In many ways she carried on their journey/ story bc of her prolific writing and also her youth in comparison to Augustus. But what a trailblazer he was/earthquake studies in Peru, Bolivia, the gold rush. If you can find the Desmond book you will truly enjoy. Also Desmond has quite the stature in many circles that I did not know of.
Sounds like her story could make a good movie or series. (Ahem, Netflix, if you're reading.)
Really, it could. In spite of their problems, they just kept on truckin’.