Valle de Zaragoza: A Historic Town on the Conchos River

160 kilometers ( 62 miles ) from the city of Chihuahua, is located Valle de Zaragoza, a town whose beginnings date back to the viceregal era and which gets its name from being established on a valley on the banks of the Conchos River. The surname is a tribute to General Ignacio Zaragoza, as told by its inhabitants.

 

With trees as old as its buildings, the region initially called Pilar de Conchos, has an iconic Alameda, of course, full of poplars that have witnessed the passage of time, its golden age and decisive events in the history of our country, such as the Mexican Revolution of 1910.

 

Its people tell that Francisco Villa had his enemies shot by hanging them from the highest poplars on this avenue, which today is a recreational area for families, with grills and children's games where weekends become a real vacation.

 

Others say that the gold hidden by the general is still buried in the mezcalera hill, but none of them has undertaken the search mission.

 

Instead, the Zaragonians have found their way of life in cattle ranching, agriculture and the foreign exchange that their people send from the United States to those who stayed behind. Perhaps that is why the Valley seems to be inhabited by older people, wise people who understand the land and remember the history as if they were the protagonists, perhaps because some of them did .

 

Today, many ranch owners like “La Laborcita”, which was a Porfirian hacienda in the 19th century, dedicate their days to preserving their trades and continuing in business, as if the word retirement had no place in the dictionary in the town.