The town El Oro de Hidalgo

1 town

1.1 history
1.2 points of interest
1.3 cuisine
1.4 festivals

the town
history

the mazahua people first populated area, migrating north. 1 of these migrations documented in annals of cuauhtitlán, occurred in 538 ad, when 5 tribes headed ehécatl, coahuatzin, mazacóatl, otzihuacoatl , tlalpanhuitz y huitz, mazacóatl leading them. first populations settled in communities known tapaxco, endotejiare, tultenango , santiago oxtempan, of in current municipality of el oro. initially, mazahuas hunter-gatherers dedicated agriculture , fishing hunting, mazahua-populated region became dominated toltecs, chichimecas , aztecs. last group conquered area in 1474 axayacatl.

up until spanish conquest of mexico, there no settlement in town of el oro, nor gold deposit discovered. in nearby tlalpujahua, gold being mined , brought spaniards area. traces of gold found in colonial period, in nearby tapaxco, traces not investigated further.

mural genesis of miner manuel d´rugama

it gold brought settlement , 1 of town s names el real de el oro, mining community under jurisdiction of ixtlahuaca. there conflicting stories how town founded. 1 version states founded mondragón family, guided child showed them grazed flock. here in family noticed shiny among rocks, turned out quartz containing gold, indicating vein named after family.

el oro founded in 1787 miners bought land hacienda of tultenango. el oro belonged territory of ixtlahuaca, upon discovery of gold, land became crown property. in 1793, mining community given municipality status , authority on neighboring communities of tapaxco, san nicolás, santiago oxtempan, santa rosa, hacienda la jordana, hacienda venta del aire , hacienta tultenango. gained rights regulate mineral extraction in area.

twenty 2 years after discovery of gold here, count of revillagigedo hired engineer manuel agustín mascaró plan out community, centered northeast of downtown now. town had become important source of gold , silver in late colonial times, there problems supplying food , other needs due rocky terrain. el oro s first chapel built in 1791, seat of ecclesiastical power in area established in tapaxco, 4 years earlier.

miguel hidalgo s army passed through municipality on way mexico city. after independence, engineer vicente rivafola , lucas alamán worked create mining companies here investment funds british sources. 1 such company, called tlalpuajuhua company revitalized 86 mines in area. important company united mexican mining association. before independence, el oro mines had been productive shut down in during war. 1825, mining here in english hands. led significant population of foreigners here, english , french, influenced town s culture. lead building of municipal palace , juarez theater neoclassic , art nouveau designs. foreign investment here reached peak near end of 19th century 20th century, introducing new technologies, such rail line, , electricity. these introduced in town of el oro, began establish primary center on tapaxco. furthering importance discovery of esperanza vein, increased town s population. el oro declared head of municipality 2 decrees, 1 issued in 1901 , other in 1902, giving town official name of el oro de hidalgo.

in 1926, number of mines, including el oro mining , railway co., la esperanza mining , others, began cut production, stating deposits tapped out. situation worsened when mining companies expropriated english owners in 1937. operating mine 1 called dos estrellas, located between el oro , tlalpujahua, subsequently closed in 1958. in mid-20th century, el oro left 2,500 residents. since time, town s economy has turned commerce, light industry, , handcrafts.

points of interest

the municipal palace seat of government both town , surrounding municipality. first palace built in 1829 of wood , nicknamed white house. current 1 inaugurated in 1910. municipal palace distinctive combination of neoclassic , art nouveau designs. result of english , french populations preference during porfirio díaz presidency between 19th , 20th centuries french style. 2 towers of palace of english design. façade, balustrade, lamps , fencing show neoclassic influence. portico, courtyard , salon de cabildos or delegation hall art nouveau in design. whole building in original condition. on either side of main entrance, there mural manuel d´rugama called genesis of miner.

the juarez theater

the juarez theater , of french neoclassic style. during height of town s mining, theater attracted top-level talent of 20th century such Ángela peralta, enrico caruso, maría conesa , others. interior of moorish design gilded decorative plant motifs indicative of art nouveau. side booths done in sculpted wood , stylized lions can found in pilasters.

old train station

the train station completed @ end of 19th century , inaugurated president porfirio díaz. architecture typical of time shows english influence. running here tultenango , villa victoria, rail line leading here created mines, trains carried both cargo , passengers. first owner of line manning gold company. rail line completed in 1860, station completed in 1899. side of station antique rail car contains restaurant, contains collection of photographs town s mining heyday.

mining museum

the mining museum depicts el oro s history 1 of country s productive mining area, starting 17th century first half of 20th. museum located @ former mine shaft, collection of photographs la esperanza, la provedenica, la descubridora , dos estrellas mines, during peak operation. on display mining machinery , mineral samples various mines.

cuisine

typical dishes of area include red or green mole turkey or chicken, barbacoa, , carnitas. local sweet called cola de macho, made dried fruit , piloncillo sugar. beverages include pulque , 2 local drinks called sende choo, fermented corn drink, , agua de sambumbia, made fermented pineapple husks.

a drink peculiar el oro called chiva . digestif, or alcoholic drink taken after meals. in demand miners mid-19th century mid-20th century. drink thought calm nerves , promote health of miners. invented jacobita galán archundia, owner of bar, infused medicinal herbs alcohol. recipe varies every family , establishment makes it, , each jealously guarded. typically prepared herbs prodigiosa , anise. however, despite supposed curative properties, drunk tourists town.

festivals

there 2 major festivals in town. first carnival, celebrated typical costumes , parades, cockfights, charreada rodeos , horse racing. other feast day of virgin of guadalupe, town s main church named after her. in addition processions , fireworks, regional indigenous dances performed.