Chapter XXVI: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.