Álamos

Álamos is located in the southeastern part of Sonora, 396 km from the state capital Hermosillo, 54 km from Navojoa via Sonora State Highway 162, and 663 km from the northern border town of Nogales.

Alamos lies in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Occidental. Along the falda (skirt) of the Sierra the fingers of Tropical Deciduous Forest extend up into oak and pine – this ribbon of Dry Tropical vegetation extends along the foothills into Central America.

Alamos lies in the most northern limits of the Tropical Deciduous Forest in this hemisphere.

An abrupt change in elevation occurs from the Sea of Cortez (sea level) to Alamos at 1,346 feet to the Sierra de Alamos rising to 6,700 feet and continuing on to the Chihuahua border where the elevation reaches 7,500 feet. This actually covers 70 miles as the crow flies.

Climate

Álamos has a semi-arid climate bordering on a tropical savanna climate, with three seasons: a hot, dry season from April to June, a hot, humid wet season from July to October, and a warm, generally dry “winter” from November to March.

Occasionally the dry winter pattern is interrupted by the passage of frontal cloud bands: 220 millimeters fell during January 1981, including 168 millimeters between the fifth and the seventh of that month, and over 120 millimeters in January 1979.

During the hot early summer, temperatures can reach extreme heights; the record being 49.5 °C on 16 June 1976.

The Tropical Deciduous Forest hosts two climates: a dry temperate time from mid-October through June and a wet humid tropical time from July through mid-October. The months of November through February are salubrious with days in the 80ºs and nights in the 50ºs.

In March the forest drops most of its leaves, and the columnar cacti become more prominent like soldiers standing in the forest. In June the humidity builds heralding the coming wet season.

On San Juan’s day (June 24) the indigenous people dance and pray to San Juan for rain and the blessing of good crops.

It almost always rains on this date. The rains are a celebration of life, as the trees burst into leaves, frogs sing and iguanas look for new mates. Monsoon-type rains deluge the hills daily. Even though the humidity is high, the temperatures are more stable.

The wet season is a time to rejoice.

Fauna

More than 400 species of birds have been recorded from the coast into the foothills at Alamos. Many birds, mammals, plants, and reptiles find their most southern or northern limits in the Alamos region.

The Municipality of Álamos derives its name from the Álamo tree. Several impressive specimens are found in one of its two principal plazas, the Alameda.

The nearby small town called El Sabinito which is located within the Municipality, likewise derives its name from a tree, the Sabino.

The area was named by the conquistador Francisco Vásquez de Coronado.

His expedition of 1540 camped at the confluence of the two major arroyos (Escondido and the Aduana) of present-day Alamos and made reference to local geographical landmarks, including two large rock formations on Mt. Alamos, Los Frailes or ‘the monks’ in English.

The church records date to 1682 and the village was incorporated in 1685.

Alamos became the capital of the then state of Occidental in the early 1800s, which encompassed today’s state of Sonora, the northern portion of the state of Sinaloa, as well as some of the Baja California and southern Arizona.

Álamos was the northernmost “Silver City” in Mexico and although it has much in common, architecturally, with Mexico’s other “Silver Cities” it has not succumbed to large-scale commercialism and has managed to retain the charm and pace of earlier times.

A major expedition departed Alamos in 1775, led by Juan Bautista de Anza II to discover a route to Alta California and create the Presidio of Monterey. The Anza expedition had nearly 300 members, of which about half were from Alamos.

The trek was heavily financed by the wealthy silver mine owners of Alamos.

Álamos is known as “La Ciudad de Los Portales” – a “Town of tall, arched, covered verandas or walkways fronting many of the cobble-stoned streets”.

Álamos boasts numerous buildings exhibiting classic Andalusian architecture from Mexico’s Colonial period, including numerous mansions, the Plaza de Armas, the Church of La Purísima Concepción, La Capilla, and the Palacio Municipal (“City Hall”).

The great wealth created by the silver mines from the surrounding mining towns of La Aduana, Minas Nuevas, and San Bernardo enabled the founders and residents of Álamos to build scores of colonial Spanish mansions throughout the town.

Most of these mansions went into ruin in the early 20th Century until the late 1940s, when a gradual restoration process began, by Americans and Canadians, which is still ongoing today.

Museo Costumbrista de Sonora

Museum of Sonoran History and Culture. Located on the Plaza de Armas, El Museo Costumbrista de Sonora is housed in one of Alamos’ most prestigious colonial homes. The museum houses a fine collection of artifacts depicting colonial life in Alamos as well as the history of mining in this area. The gallery in the Museum is host to many visiting and local artists.

Casa de la Cultura

At one time this Cultural Center on Guadalupe Hill was the “Carcel”, the jail. Now the Cultural Center serves as an educational center as well as an auditorium for public events including expositions, readings, conferences, and concerts. The Center is committed to serving the needs of all ages and levels of ability.

Casa de Maria Felix Museum

A collection of artifacts discovered on the original birthplace of Mexico’s legendary and internationally renowned movie actress. Artifacts have been relocated to the private home of Linda Barondes.

Folkloric Museum

Leonardo Valdez Esquer – Located in the town of Echojoa between Navojoa and Huatabampo. This museum exhibits a fine collection of folkloric art from all parts of Mexico as well as a complete collection of Mayo Indian artifacts.

Sierra de Álamos Ecological Reserve

The Sierra de Álamos Ecological Reserve offers serious “birding” opportunities.

The creek of Cuchujaqui, which is in the ecological reserve is the most species-rich subtropical area in the Northern Hemisphere. Cuchujaqui is the subject of international scientific study and the southern migration destination of hundreds of different species of birds.

The City of Alamos is over three hundred and seventy years old and one of the best-preserved colonial cities in Northern Mexico. In the mid seventeen hundreds, King Carlos III of Spain sent a surveyor-general to map out the city streets.

Mansions were built by prospering silver barons. The colonial elements of Alamos’ architecture include:

Arches

A characteristic of the more elaborate portal is the arch which provides the perspective through which the building is seen.

Columns

The column supports the arches and the portal roof. Local artisans influenced the more traditional Doric or Corinthian designs to create Alamos’ own unique styles. The original columns were of wood. Plaster columns and arches were added around the eighteen hundreds

Cornice

The cornice is a decorative Greek feature found along the roofline of a structure. Two designs are most prevalent in Alamos, the traditional Greek design which is that of a man’s profile, or the “pecho de paloma” profile of a dove’s breast created by the Mexican artisans.

The Portal

Alamos is often referred to as the city of portals.

The portal or portico can be found on the interior or exterior of the house and serves as an outside living space. Columns or arches support the roof. Portales on the exterior were symbols of social status and can be found on the more stately homes on the main thoroughfares.

Thick Walls & Deep Recessed Windows

The walls are constructed of adobe and can measure three to four feet in width. This is a perfect example of how the environment influences the design. The thick walls and recessed windows serve to auto-regulate temperatures during the hot summers and cool winters.

Windows and doorways in particular show the Andalusian or Moroccan influence on Alamo colonial structures.

The Surrounding Area includes the estuaries alive with bird life, Mayo villages, a mining town, rivers where you can take float trips, and trails for horseback riding.

Tours of colonial homes, the countryside, various silver mines, indigenous villages, and coastal estuaries, as well as river float trips are available.

Enjoy the Basque tradition of strolling student troubadours, “La Estudiantina” dressed in authentic costumes.

About 16 km to the northwest is the Adolfo Ruiz Cortinez Dam and Reservoir known as “El Mocúzarit”, whose waters irrigate 80,000 acres (320 km2).

Annual Dr. Alfonso Ortiz Tirado Festival

The ten-day cultural festival celebrates the life of Dr. Alfonzo Ortiz Tirado, a world-renowned singer, surgeon, philanthropist, and humanist.

Dr. Ortiz Tirado, an extraordinary tenor, was a native of Alamos. Alfonso Ortiz Tirado, born in this community in 1894, achieved recognition for being “El Tenor de las Américas”.

Each year, during the last ten days of January, Alamos opens its arms to pianists, symphony orchestras, choral groups, quartets, and dancers who entertain at fixed venues throughout the city. Art walks and cultural workshops are presented.

Activities are coordinated under the auspices of the Instituto Sonorense de Cultura.

Festival de Cine Alamos Mágico

Also, there is an annual film festival, usually held in March of each year. This annual festival showcases films, performances, and hands-on workshops over 3 days.

Alamos Silver Festival

Renowned Mexican silversmiths demonstrate and display their art, and restaurants offer fine cuisine during this Annual Silver Festival in Alamos, Sonora, Mexico. Silver Classes will be held in conjunction with the festival.

La Estudiantina

The “Tuna” or Estudiantina is a group of students that join to sing traditional songs using various string and percussion instruments and dress in students’ clothing in Spain in the 11 to 13 centuries.

Alamos is proud of the Estudiantina who lead in song on the grand “callejoneadas”, street processions, during many celebrations.

Mayo and Yaqui cultural celebrations

The Mayo tribe is the largest in Mexico. Their biggest fiesta of the year is La Trinidad celebrated on May 14th.

The celebration starts in Juparé just outside of Huatabampo. It is a continuous celebration with Pascola and Deer Dances followed by a 9-day manda between the two villages of Etchojoa and Juparé.

Juparé is easily reached on paved roads. Turn right on the boulevard east side of Palacio in Huatabampo, and continue on the road about 5 miles to the sign for Juparé. Right turn. The village is about 2 miles long.

There is a small museum dedicated to the culture in the village; be sure to stop in just behind the church.

Fiesta de Nuestra Senora de la Balvanera

The fiesta in Aduana is on the 20th of November. Nine days before the Fiesta, the statue of the Virgin is taken from the Alamos church at dawn with bells ringing for the start of the quiet procession back to Aduana.

It is a nine-day novena petitioning or thanking the Virgin as people make the pilgrimage back and forth from Alamos. In the last few days before the fiesta, the pilgrimage grows and people start walking from further distances.

It is estimated that approximately 10,000 people attend this very traditional fiesta during the two-day celebration

Purisima de Concepcion

A week-long celebration is centered around the feast day on December 8 honoring the patron saint of Alamos. Every evening on the Plaza de Armas, you will find regional food booths and entertainment for all.

Viernes de Dolores

Celebrated on the Friday before Good Friday. Households and neighborhoods throughout town decorate elaborate altars that they display in a window or door for all to see. The altars commemorate the suffering of the Mother of Christ.

In the evening people stroll the streets viewing the over fifty altars. Miracles are said to happen. Former long-time Alamos residents Gloria Mills and Dolores Parker brought the tradition to Alamos from southern Mexico.

By bus from Hermosillo via Ciudad Obregon and Navojoa:

• Hermosillo – Ciudad Obregon: 3:30 hours, buses run hourly.
• Ciudad Obregon – Navojoa: 0:45 min, buses run hourly.
• Navojoa – Alamos: 0:50 min, in taxi.

By bus from Hermosillo via Navojoa:

• Hermosillo – Navajoa: 5:40 hours, buses run every 3 hours.
• Navojoa – Alamos: 0:50 min in taxi.

By taxi from Hermosillo:

• Hermosillo – Alamos: 4:20 hours.

By bus from Los Mochis via Navojoa:

• Los Mochis – Navojoa: 1:45 hours, buses run every 20 min.
• Navojoa – Alamos: 0:55 min in taxi.