History of Guadalajara
History of Mérida
History of Oaxaca
Northern Mexico
Central Mexico
Southern Mexico
History of Guadalajara
History of Mérida
History of Oaxaca
Northern Mexico
Central Mexico
Southern Mexico
A STRATEGIC PLACE DURING THE REVOLUTION
Colonial Era
In 1534, Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca and his fellow explorers became the first Spaniards to arrive in Chihuahua's lands.
Thirty years later, the Audiencia of Guadalajara allowed Franciscan and Jesuit missionaries to settle in the north, initiating evangelization efforts in the territory.
Francisco de Ibarra organized the government and gave the territory the generic name of a kingdom, divided into provinces and named it Nueva Vizcaya.
Specifically, the city of Chihuahua was founded on October 12, 1709, under the name San Francisco de Cuellar. Later, it became San Felipe el Real de Cuellar, and finally, it was named San Felipe el Real de Chihuahua.
The population was established thanks to the rich mines of Santa Eulalia, located 9 km to the east. Its foundation in the valley formed at the confluence of the Chuviscar and Sacramento rivers was driven by two reasons: first, the royal ordinances of 1573, which specified that new settlements should be established next to rivers; and second, the need for more water for metal processing.
The state began to diversify its productive activities; thanks to the mining boom, trade flourished, and ranching started, which is now one of the most predominant economic activities in the region.
History of Chihuahua
War of Independence
While the independence movement was taking shape in the center and south of the country, a bloody war with the Apache was unfolding in this region. In 1880, the last battle was fought at Tres Castillos, where the legendary Apache Chief Vitorio was killed by two Tarahumara warriors, Mauricio Corredor and Roque, led by General Joaquín Terrazas. Only women and children survived this battle, marking the beginning of the end for the tribe. Later, Jerónimo, the last Apache leader, surrendered to the American Army.
In 1864, the city of Chihuahua hosted President Benito Juárez and his cabinet, becoming the seat of the Republic's powers during the French invasion. Juárez remained in Chihuahua's territory throughout the invasion.
When General Porfirio Díaz took power in 1877, the city of Chihuahua already had 22,000 inhabitants, and its stores offered the finest European products. The population had become the economic and political center of the state.
In 1881, the construction of the Government Palace began, and the railroad connected the city to Mexico City. In 1903, the construction of the Chihuahua-Pacific Railroad commenced. Beautiful mansions with stone facades were built along Paseo Bolívar, Avenida Cuauhtémoc, and Calle Juárez.
The city reflected prosperity, and families strolled in Parque Lerdo and its beautiful tree-lined avenue on Sundays.
Mexican Revolution
During the Revolution, the "Dorados" and their commander-in-chief, General Francisco Villa, along with Pascual Orozco and Toribio Ortega, entered the scene. After ten years of bloody conflict and the death of Carranza, Villa retired.
Modern Era
Following that, the years were very difficult until the recovery and political stability began around 1940. In 1954, the Autonomous University of Chihuahua was founded, marking the start of the city's modern era.
FUSION OF THE COLONIAL PERIOD AND THE PORFIRIATO WITH TOUCHES OF MODERNITY
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