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San Isidro Hacienda, Relevant Agriculture and Livestock Center

By Pedro Alonso García Hernández

San Luis de la Paz, Gto. Tuesday, February 21, 2012.  During the Colonial Period, San Isidro Hacienda, located a few miles north of the city, had a great impact in both the agricultural and livestock production.  We assume it was built in 1660, since it is the date inscribed on one wall.  According to documents, it was originally owned by a Spanish family named Enriquez, who must have had a close relationship with the Jesuits, as their symbol is engraved on one of the barriers.

In 1699 and 1700, the San Isidro and Ochoa Haciendas produced 74% of the sheep and cattle livestock of this territory.  In 1785, the hacienda was already in the hands of the Briones family, very well known until present time in San Luis de la Paz.  At the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century, the San Isidro and Santa Ana Haciendas produced more than half of local agricultural production.  

The Underground Chapel of Palmillas, A Hidden Treasure

By Jose Omar García Hernández

San Luis de la Paz, Gto. Monday, February 20, 2012. Four hundred meters away from the decorated Temple of Palmillas, which we talked about yesterday, there is an underground chapel in the slope of a hill.  Just like a treasure, it is hidden under the earth, and it is not easy to find it.  It was built with that intention, to pass unnoticed, during the Cristero War, in the first half of the 20th century.  It was one more reason more for Palmillas, municipality of San Luis de la Paz, to win in 2007 the Conservation of the Cultural Built Heritage of the State of Guanajuato Award.

The Cristero War occurred from 1926-29, but in some places like in our region lasted until the 1930s. Because of the anti-clerical laws imposed by the federal government, which limited the Catholic religion, thousands of believers took up arms.  Since the rebels were persecuted, they took refuge in places of difficult access to the army, like the Sierra Gorda.  In Palmillas, Cristeros built this underground chapel with the goal of protecting the sacred

The Unknown But Award-Winning Palmillas Temple

By Jose Omar García Hernández

San Luis de la Paz, Gto. Sunday, February 19, 2012.  Northwest of San Luis de la Paz, in the captivating Sierra Gorda, is located the community of Palmillas.  It has a beautiful and old temple, unknown to those who inhabit this place and its surroundings, but which in 2007 was first place in the State of Guanajuato Cultural Built Heritage Awards, in the category of religious monuments. This unique attraction deserves to be discovered by all.

In the natural scenery, among colorful mountains and dense trees, its Gothic style architecture stands out.  The bell tower itself represents a man´s hands raised in prayer.  This makes sense, as the hands of man are the symbol of the Gothic style.  The architectural plant is a Latin cross, and the style of the altar is Baroque.  The carved wood of the main door and floor enriches its beauty.

The building of this religious site had its development in three stages.  The first was done by the Jesuits, who contributed with the functionality and austere elements.  The second was made by the French,

Mineral de Pozos is Designated Magic Town

By Jose Omar García Hernández

Mineral de Pozos, Gto. Thursday, February 16, 2012. We have a party! Mineral de Pozos, municipality of San Luis de la Paz, was designated Magic Town by the Federal Ministry of Tourism, this afternoon at the Miner´s Plaza. This way, it enters a select group of towns, 49 till now, which have received this distinction in Mexico. A colorful celebration was lived, for the happiness of the appointment and the governmental funds that will be assigned to the project, which augurs a promising future for Pozos.

At the conclusion of the opening ceremony of the rehabilitation of the Manuel Doblado Plaza, the action returned to the Miner´s Plaza.  There, the long-awaited moment arrived: the designation of Mineral de Pozos as a Magic Town.

As a prelude to the appointment, Los Gavilanes Mariachi, from Mineral de Pozos, played a series of beautiful songs, which everyone loved.  Among the crowd, we observed people from Mineral de Pozos and San Luis, as well as mayors and businessmen from the region.

Next, the personalities were introduced.  The Governor of Guanajuato, Juan Manuel Oliva Ramirez,

Authorities Inaugurate the Rehabilitation of the Melchor Ocampo Plaza

By Jose Omar García Hernández

Mineral de Pozos, Gto. Thursday, February 16, 2012. As part of the activities of designation of Pozos as a Magic Town, the Governor of the State, Juan Manuel Oliva Ramirez, and the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Gloria Rebeca Guevara Manzo, inaugurated the rehabilitation of the Melchor Ocampo Plaza. They also enjoyed the music and the dance of the group Aguilas Que No Se Olvidan, from the Chichimeca Mission.

After the elevation to town of Mineral de Pozos at the Miner´s Plaza by the city council, we moved to the Melchor Ocampo Plaza. We walked down by the Slip Street, accompanied by the young individuals who were dressed with outfits from the end of the 19th century. Then, we walked up in direction of the unfinished temple of the Works Lord, which is next to the newly reconstructed square.

There, we were joined by the Governor of the State of Guanajuato, Juan Manuel Oliva, and the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Gloria Guevara, who cut the ribbon for the rehabilitation of the Melchor Ocampo Plaza, along with local authorities.

The officials strolled

The City Council Elevates Pozos to Town

By Jose Omar García Hernández

Mineral de Pozos, Gto. Thursday, February 16, 2012. The Honorable City Council of San Luis de la Paz elevated Mineral de Pozos to the category of town, as a preamble to be declared Magic Town by the Federal Tourism Ministry a couple of hours later. The ceremony occurred at the Zaragoza Plaza, which from now on will be called the Miner´s Plaza.

Since early, the Pocenos were ready to participate in what was perhaps the most important and emotional day in the life of the former mining town. In the center of the Zaragoza Plaza, were installed a podium, chairs and awnings for the event.

At 10: 45 a.m., the solemn session headed by the Municipal President Javier Becerra started. Since there was sufficient quorum, the assembly was approved to begin. The public servants in union with the hundreds of attendees made honors to the flag and sang the Mexican national anthem.

Then, the declaration by which Mineral de Pozos was elevated to the category of people was read. It mentioned it has more than 2,500 inhabitants and the services

The Rotary Club Buttons a New Member

By Jose Omar García Hernández

San Luis de la Paz, Gto. Wednesday, February 15, 2012. The San Luis de la Paz Rotary Club buttoned Psychologist Alejandra Perez Guerra as a new member, this afternoon at La Mision Restaurant. The associates of the group welcomed her gladly. Together, they celebrated the event with a succulent meal and hours of celebration and camaraderie.

At 3: 00 p.m., the benefactor association met at the downtown establishment for the ceremony. Javier Lopez Marquez, Director of Protocol, guided the meeting; while, Doctor Esteban and his wife Patty led the honors to the flag.

Ezequiel Lopez Basurto, on behalf of the District 4160 Rotary Governor, took the oath and buttoned Alejandra Perez. Finally, Francisco Cardenas Baltazar, President of the San Luis de la Paz Club, gave her a few warm words of welcome. 

Romeo and Juliet Love Enormously on Valentine's Day

By Jose Omar García Hernández

San Luis de la Paz, Gto. Tuesday, February 14, 2012. Romeo and Juliet loved enormously on Valentine's Day. The classical tragic play of passion was represented through huge figures, by the Cornisa 20 group at the Gregorio Torres Quintero Elementary School. It was a gift from the Ludovicense Cultural Center for lovers and all people in the Day of Love and Friendship.

At 7: 18 p.m., after 2 calls, in which the public participated, the theatrical group which has its headquarters in San Miguel de Allende began the narration of the story of the great lovers. Through the giant dolls, the artists made us laugh and even cry with their performance. They received a well-deserved applause from the people, and a diploma from Cindy Rivera, Deputy Director of the Culture House. 

The Municipal Government Invites to the Designation of Pozos as a Magic Town

By Jose Omar García Hernández

San Luis de la Paz, Gto. Tuesday, February 14, 2012. The municipal government invites the public to the Designation of Mineral de Pozos as a Magic Town, by the Federal Ministry of Tourism. It will take place on Thursday, February 16 at the former mining town. There will be several activities, like a Holy Mass, a solemn session of the Honorable Municipal Assembly, a banquet, and artistic events.

Program
9:00 a.m. Eucharistic Celebration with the participation of our Bishop
10:30 a.m. Solemn session of the Honorable Municipal Assembly
3:30 p.m. Public banquet
5:00 p.m. Artistic events 

The Eagle Hill, Wrapped Around with Clouds and Legends

By Jose Omar García Hernández

San Luis de la Paz, Gto. Monday, February 13, 2012. The Eagle Hill, located south of the municipal seat, is an elevation wrapped around with clouds and legends. Viewed from the city, it seems to be just another mountain. But observed from the road from San Luis de la Paz to Mineral de Pozos, it shows the form of an eagle in full flight, from which its name originates. According to oral tradition, in pre-Colonial times it served as a watchtower to the Chichimeca Indians. It was also considered a sacred place by them. Some local legends of that time involve this mound. 

The Historical Center in the 70s

By Jose Omar García Hernández

San Luis de la Paz, Gto. Sunday, February 12, 2012. This morning, we found an old picture from the historical center in the 1970s. Forty years make a big difference in the architecture of a city, including ours. After checking it, we realize how different it looks today.

For mentioning some changes since then:

The Main Square still had side streets where cars traveled, and its floor was made with a different material. For the young people, it was in 1994, under the administration of the Municipal President Antonio Alvarado, that the park was remodeled and was turned into a pedestrian area.

The Matamoros Street had divisions with plants which created two lanes. Later, the separations were withdrawn and it became a one way street. At present time, it serves as a two way street again.

The San Luis Rey Parish had only one tower and its atrium was surrounded by metal works. The last mentioned were withdrawn at the end of the 70s, with the idea to make the church more accessible to people. The second tower began to

Mineral de Pozos Will Be Named Magic Town

By Jose Omar García Hernández

San Luis de la Paz, Gto. Friday, February 10, 2012. Mineral de Pozos, community which belongs to our municipality, will be named Magic Town this coming week. In a special ceremony, Thursday, February 16, it will receive this distinction, giving it right to collect funds from this federal program for its conservation and improvement.

According to the Ministry of Tourism "A magic town is a town that has symbolic attributes, legends, history, transcendental facts, everyday life, in short MAGIC that emanates in each of its socio – cultural manifestations, and offer today a great opportunity for touristic use."

Based on this, we fully understand why Pozos will be designated as a Magic Town. It is a place of incomparable architecture, fascinating history, charming handcrafts, attractive landscapes and an atmosphere that invites to reflection and art.

Mineral de Pozos is magical and it is ours! 

The San Luis Rey Parish Atrial Arc, City Icon

By Jose Omar García Hernández

San Luis De La Paz, Gto. Thursday, February 9, 2012.  The San Luis Rey Parish atrial arch, built in the late nineteenth century, is undoubtedly the most representative symbol of the city. When you are away and think of San Luis de la Paz, is perhaps the first image that you remember.  It is due to the fact that for years it has been used as the emblem of the logos of the regional fair, and that along with the parish is the representation of the town most utilized in postcards and photographs on the internet. 

The Jesuit Aqueduct at Jofre, An Impressive Engineering Work

By Jose Omar García Hernández

San Luis de la Paz, Gto. Wednesday, February 8, 2012. At the community of Jofre, north of the municipality, there is an engineering work unknown to those who live in the city: an impressive aqueduct built by the Jesuits. It is 1.5 kilometers away from the San Jose de Jofre Hacienda, which we quoted a few days ago. According to an engraving that is in one of the arches, it was completed on March 8, 1613. The calligraphy which was used to write the date is similar to carvings that are on the hacienda, where the Jesuit symbol appears. 

Meeting with El Haragan at San Jose´s Fair

By Ricardo Vega

San Jose Iturbide, Gto. Saturday, February 4, 2012. Last Thursday night, the People´s Theater at San Jose Iturbide was filled with city shades. Around 10 p.m., Luis Alvarez, better known as El Haragan, showed up on stage with guitar in hand and singing "Garbage", beginning an unforgettable night of urban rock. It was a special gala, since it was the first time this urban chronicler performed in our region. 

The Hill of the Holy Cross, with Letters Praises the Divine

By Jose Omar García Hernández

San Luis de la Paz, Gto. Friday, February 3, 2012. "Long Live Mary Immaculate" is a proclamation to honor Virgin Mary chiseled in the subconscious of local people, thanks to the sign that is painted on the Hill of the Holy Cross. Located north of the city, and also known as the Hill of Letters, this mount and its message are visible from several points of the urban area. At the top of the mound, there is a cross, which is visited daily by joggers, and venerated on May 3, the Day of the Holy Cross. 

Father Timoteo Rios: Pastor, Educator and Benefactor of San Luis

By Jose Omar García Hernández

San Luis de la Paz, Gto. Thursday, February 2, 2012. Next to San Luis Rey Parish is located the Timoteo Rios CECOM (Community Center).  For the younger generations, the name is perhaps unknown, because they never heard of this character so popular in the history of San Luis de la Paz.  But the people of middle and advanced age remember with great affection, the person who was pastor, educator and benefactor of our municipality.

This afternoon when our mother showed us some of the old photos that she possesses, one captured our attention in particular. It was the one from Father Timoteo Rios.  We got interested because his name has been mentioned on several occasions by people that know, including family members. We learned through them that he was pastor in San Luis de la Paz, but we did not know how he was physically and the activities that he carried out.  With the picture, we found out how he looked like.  And as we are very curious, we started to investigate about his life.

Father Timoteo Rios y Armas

The Pozo Hondo Hacienda Preserves its Ancient Beauty

By Pedro Alonso García Hernández

San Luis de la Paz, Gto. Tuesday, January 31, 2012. One of the most beautiful and well-kept haciendas of our municipality is undeniably the one from Pozo Hondo. Located in the Northwest of the municipal seat, it was devoted to agriculture, livestock and the production of mezcal in its best times, late 19th Century and early 20th Century.

The hacienda belongs to the Cordero Huerta family, who preserve in good condition both the interior rooms and the exterior gardens. We found no documentation that mentions when it was originally built. There are a couple of plates in the building showing the years 1898 and 1899, which makes us think it dates from the late 19th Century.

In the place, there are still vestiges of its past when it manufactured mezcal. There is an incomplete sign of that factory which suggests the year 1917. Also, there is an oven which was used to cook the agave plants and a round container dedicated to grind the same fruit. The Pozo Hondo Hacienda is one of our many treasures from yesterday. 

PRI Carries Out Panel on Municipal Development

By Jose Omar García Hernández

San Luis de la Paz, Gto. Thursday, January 26, 2012.  The Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) carried out this evening the First Panel on Municipal Development, at the auditorium of the Timoteo Rios Community Center, better known as the CECOM.  Distinguished party members, such as Juan Jose Flores, Mauricio Jaramillo, Socorro Nunez and TimoteoVilla participated.

The Youth Folkloric Ballet from Juventino Rosas Makes Its Debut

By Mauricio Garcia

San Luis de la Paz, Gto. Wednesday, January 25, 2012. At the Matamoros Esplanade of our municipality, the Youth Folkloric Ballet from the Culture Center of Juventino Rosas shared with us its joy and excitement for presenting for the first time in a public forum, showing its talent to represent the Mexican folklore through dance.

On a night with fresh but enjoyable wind, the members of the dance group from the homeland of the famed Guanajuato musician, all of them high school and university students, performed a mosaic of dance of the colonial times in Guanajuato, waltzes of Juventino Rosas, northern pieces from Chihuahua and sones from Veracruz.