DURANGO
Durango is politically divided into thirteen districts, which are
subdivided into municipalities; these districts are Durango, Mapimí,
Santiago Papasquiaro, Tamazula, San Juan del Rio, Cuencamo, Nombre de
Dios, El Oro, Indé, Nazas, San Juan de Guadalupe, Mezquital and San
Dimas.
The climate varies according to the different altitudes. In the extreme
northwest the peaks of the Sierra Madre and Tarahumara are perpetually
covered with snow and in contrast to that the heat of the southeastern
portion is extremely tropical. The rest of the State possesses an even
temperature and this combined with the richness of the fields attracted
many settlers, who for generations have lived here and have enjoyed
the fruits of this bountiful land. The proof of this is that one
family having settled here remains forever. Among the natives there
is a great characteristic of hospitality, and frankness, and a certain
romanticism remains.
The principal resources are mineral and agricultural, one ranking with
the other but still unexploited to the best possibilities. Under a
reign of peace, the progress of this State is in close competition with
the other States of the Union. With natural riches and resources this
State should rank among the first.
Statistics change naturally with the progress of the country, and
with the rapid strides that are daily taking place in the affairs of
an important State it is impossible to give a correct idea of all the
enterprises.
Another great source of wealth is the fine wood, which is of such
varied production and estimable quality as to attract the attention of
the world. This branch of production is exploited on a small scale and
is not cultivated as it deserves. Also cereals and every agricultural
product are fast reaching the point of development that will elevate
this State to one of great importance.
[Illustration: SEÑOR LICENCIADO DON ESTEBAN FERNANDEZ,
GOVERNOR OF DURANGO.]
In mining the State of Durango ranks very high. This industry while
still in its embryonic state is incalculable in riches of precious
metals and building stone. Through this branch of industry, cities
with beautiful plazas, splendid homes have sprung up and changes on
the highway to prosperity under the protection of the wise laws have
demonstrated all that the progress of a country demands. Gold, silver,
lead, iron, zinc, sulphur, and coal are the principal minerals. In
the parts of the State that the railroads traverse there are many
flourishing mines. In Valardeña there is a great smelter with all the
modern improvements.
The iron found in Durango is the finest in the world. It has been
studied by mineralogists, who marvel at it. There is one large
mountain called Cerro del Mercado, which has attracted a great deal
of attention. The iron in its native state contains ninety three and
three-tenths of oxide of iron. Much iron has been extracted without
seeming to lessen the amount that exists.
[Illustration: GOVERNOR’S PALACE, DURANGO.]
At present there are one hundred and nineteen mining industries in
exploitation, employing twenty-five thousand workmen, and fifteen
million dollars’ worth of mineral is exported yearly.
Durango abounds in industries. There are small cities that have their
manufactories whose products are confined to the State on account of
the high rate of freight with which they have to contend. There are
cotton mills, distilleries, wood manufactories, dynamite factories and
flour mills, all in a flourishing condition. Financial crises that
often affect the nation seldom trouble this State. Very rarely do the
industries suffer the depression experienced in many other States.
We find also thirty electric light works, and many manufactories of
cigars and cigarettes give steady employment to the people. Telegraph
lines extend throughout the country. Telephones connect with all
parts. New roads are being built and the government officials are in
every way assisting the enterprises in the interior by proper means of
communication within their possibilities.
[Illustration: SEÑOR LICENCIADO DON ALBERTO CINCUNEGUI,
SECRETARY OF STATE.]
In the year 1892, the first railroad in this State was built. In
all, there are about ten hundred and seventy-nine miles of railroad,
including a short electric line. The prolongation of the lines through
the great merger-system will be of great benefit to this State. The
increase in the number of public schools in all districts has been
remarkable. Durango occupies one of the first places of all the States
of the Union in its rapid progress on the question of instruction. All
the schools combine the best conditions of cleanliness and sanitation.
One-fifth of the sum for public improvement goes toward instruction.
[Illustration: CERRO DEL MERCADO.]
The capital is Durango, which is beautifully situated some seven
thousand feet above the sea. It was founded in 1560, by Alonzo Pacheco
as a military station, and soon after was made an Episcopal See. The
most noteworthy buildings are the government house, the cathedral, a
number of parish churches, a spacious hospital, a penitentiary and a
state prison. There are attractive public gardens, public squares, and
public baths. Thermal springs supply the city with water and the place
is remarkable for cleanliness. The mint at Durango coined twenty-seven
million nine hundred and sixty-two thousand six hundred and sixty-eight
dollars between 1811 and 1845. There is an institute in which law,
languages, and the sciences are taught, with several very good public
and private schools.
There are large mineral districts around the capital not yet explored,
and Americans have found some good gold bearing properties. The people
are rich and contented, and the resident merchants do not care to have
competition. The fact that there are no failures is a good indication
of solidity. The developed mining district is very rich and the cattle
industry is large. Cotton, woollen, and print-mills represent large
capital. The climate is perfect all the year; never lower than twenty
degrees above zero nor higher than eighty. The people are getting
more enterprising, after nineteen years of railroad communication,
but Durango is a solid, business place, entirely able to exist
independently of the world.
[Illustration: ENTRANCE TO PENITENTIARY, DURANGO.]
The agricultural interests in the State have not been neglected, the
situation being especially favorable to the cultivation of cotton as
well as other profitable crops. A ready market is found in the City of
Mexico for all the State products.
The rich agricultural district surrounding Lerdo is under irrigation
and from eighty to one hundred thousand bales of cotton are raised here
yearly in addition to the corn, cane, beans and fruits. A few miles
out from Durango is the Fabrica del Tunal, one of the oldest cotton
factories in the country, having been established by the father of the
present owner, Señor Emilio Stahlknecht, in 1837. This establishment
includes bleaching and print works, and its products of fine cloths
are known everywhere as among the finest cotton goods of Mexican
manufacture. The governor of this State realizes that the happiness of
the people and law abiding conditions depend greatly on education.
To Governor Esteban Fernandez the State owes a great deal of the
changes, for there is nothing necessary for the progress of Durango
that this ambitious governor fails to do. He has made it a life study
to lift his State to a splendid prosperity, and with the rich resources
and the high minded people who co-operate with him, he has elevated his
country to a high standard and has carried through all his enterprises
with great brilliancy. He is an intimate friend of the President,
and during the Centennial he had many _fêtes_ in honor of the
Independence. Monuments were unveiled and schools opened and many
ceremonies were held in appropriate celebration of this great occasion.
The City of Durango is noted for its wonderful police regulation. It is
well lighted and offers every advantage for the establishment of great
enterprises. Its climate makes it a unique place for recreation as here
one finds an unbroken springtime.
[Illustration: ALAMEDA, DURANGO.]
[Illustration: THE PALACE, CHIHUAHUA.]