There are many restored colonial-era mansions within walking distance of the town plaza in Alamos, providing lots of visual imagery for a casual stroll on the cobblestone streets around the area.
These unique, historic buildings are a tangible modern-day connection to the history of this fascinating place. Alamos was originally established and grew as a thriving mining town in the late 1600’s following the discovery of silver in the area.
However, the city that once claimed more than 30,000 residents as the 1824 capital of El Estado Occidente (a state that combined Sonora and Sinaloa), declined following Mexico’s independence from Spain, a descent that continued after the Mexican Revolution at the beginning of the 20th century. Yaqui Indians fought to retain control over the area, and when they were defeated in the 1920’s, the pueblo of Alamos had become a ghost town – the mines were closed and its residents had gone.
The town was re-discovered in the 1940’s, after American farmer William Lavant Alcorn purchased and restored one of its mansions, converting it into a hotel. That started a surge of investment and renovation that led to the restoration of Alamos to its current status as a tourism destination, and created a marvelous place to walk, admire these beautiful buildings and reflect on the history of Alamos.
