Batopilas, Chihuahua
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Batopilas is a small town in the Mexican state of Chihuahua, located along the Batopilas River at the bottom of one of the canyons that make up the Copper Canyon. It has a population of fewer than 2,000 people.
History
Batopilas was established by Spanish conquistadores starting in 1632 as a center for silver mining. Over the centuries scores of hugely productive silver mines have been dug in the area; one estimate (Wilson and Panczner) is that mines in the area have produced seven times as much silver as come from the famous silver mine of Kongsberg, Norway.Large fortunes have been made, most visibly reflected in a castle-like home that British mining magnate Alexander Shepard had built in the middle of town. The house has long been in ruins and as of 2006 is occupied by a number of local families that give tours to visitors for a small fee.
Little mining is now done.
Geography
The main connection to the outside world is a 5-hour bus connection to Creel, the first half of which occurs on an unpaved mountain road.The Satevo mission, featuring a large church built four centuries ago with a mysterious past, is 8 kilometers from Batopilas, along the Batopilas River.
Sources
- Wendell E. Wilson, Christopher S. Panczner, "Famous Mineral Localities: the Batopilas District, Chihuahua, Mexico," ''The Mineralogical Record, 17(1):61-80, 1986 January-February.
External links
- [link] Maps of the Tarahumara region.
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