Today the port is the largest on the west coast, here unloading cars from AsiaThe history of Mazatlan Mexico, Mazatlan, A short history…
Spanish, French and German settlers
For centuries, Mazatlán was inhabited by indios whose major occupation was fishing. The city history was founded in 1531 by a small group of Spanish conquistadors led by Nuno de Guzman. They used the natural harbor to ship out gold from the region. Soon the pirates, mainly French and English, used the particular shape of the coastline as a perfect hiding place to attack the Spanish galleons along the Pacific Ocean coast.
Mazatlán in 1896
In 1829 a Spanish banker named Machado arrived in Mazatlan and established commercial relations with vessels coming to Mazatlán from North and South America.
During the Mexican-American War,1846-48, the U.S. Army took the city and to avoid seeing the city shelled the Mexican army abandoned it. Almost twenty years later, November 13, 1864, a French man-of-war fired on the city twelve times but there were no casualties.
Mazatlan then became part of the Mexican Empire under Maximilian (vestiges
of French influence may still be found in the architecture of many buildings
in Centro Historico). On November 13, 1866, the Mexican general Ramon
Corona expelled the imperialists from Mazatlan.
On June 18, 1868, William H. Bridge, captain of HMS Chanticleer, blockaded
the port and threatened to shell the city. The captain had taken umbrage
after local Customs Authorities seized 23 ounces of gold from the paymaster
of the ship. History states, during the Mexican Revolution, Mazatlan had
the dubious distinction of being the first city upon which aerial bombardment
was practiced. A Federalist bi-plane dropped a satchel charge containing
shrapnel on the city, resulting in fatalities.
During the Gold Rush, fortune hunters from the United States East Coast
sailed from New York Harbor and other Atlantic ports to Mexican ports in
the Gulf of Mexico. Debarking, the aspiring miners travelled overland for
weeks to Mazatlan, where they would embark from the port to arrive in San
Francisco in another four to five weeks.
Mazatlan's lighthouse (El Faro) began to shine by mid-1879. The lamp had
been handcrafted in Paris, containing a big oil lamp with mirrors and a
Fresnel lens to enhance the light. Since the light was static, in the distance
it was often mistaken as a star. By 1905 this lamp was converted to a revolving
lamp. Today, the 1000 watt bulb can be seen from 30 nautical miles (60 km).
Near the lighthouse shore.
Angela Peralta (1845 - 1883), a Mexican opera diva famed throughout the world, died of Yellow Fever in Mazatlan shortly after her arrival in the port. Legend has it she sang one last aria from her hotel balcony overlooking the Plazuela Machado. Her memory is held dear by Mazatlácos to this day.
Mazatlan is also the hometown of Pedro Infante, one of the most popular
actors and singers of the golden years of Mexico's film industry. The city
was well regarded by film stars such as John Wayne, Gary Cooper, and others
of their generation as a sportfishing mecca. The hotels along Olas Altas
flourished during the 40's, 50's and 60's supporting this vibrant trade.
In the 70's, tourism in Old Mazatlan declined as other, newer venues opened
on the expanses of beach to the north of the city. As an example of Mazatlán's
tourism expansion, one of the largest timeshare providers in Mexico, Mayan
Resorts was founded in 1975 with the inauguration of Paraíso Mazatlan (Mazatlan
Paradise). This time also saw the expansion of the Hotel Playa Mazatlan
and the construction of many others, a trend that continues to this day.
As the 21st Century begins, Centro Historico has been rediscovered by newcomers and locals alike, spurring a renaissance of restoration and entreprenurial endeavors. Many once fine homes that had fallen into literal ruin have been restored to their former glory to house families and boutique businesses. The city has been of assistance in upgrading infrastructure, such as improved water, sewer and electrical services.
