Batopilas, Chihuahua
| Batopilas | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
 Batopilas
|
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| Coordinates: 27°1′36″N 107°44′22″W / 27.02667°N 107.73944°W | |
| Country |
 Mexico
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| State | Chihuahua |
| Municipality | Batopilas |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 1,220 |
Batopilas (Spanish 
) is a small town, and seat of the surrounding municipality of the same name, 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. As of 2010, the town of Batopilas had a population of 1,220. Its elevation above sea level is 578 metres (1,896 ft). The town is situated in a narrow valley, bordered by steep canyon walls. It was declared a Pueblo Mágico on October 19, 2012.
Batopilas was a prominent silver-mining center from the 17th to the early 20th century.
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. Little mining is now done.
Large fortunes were made, most visibly reflected in a castle-like home, called the Hacienda San Miguel, that Alexander Robey Shepherd, the last governor of Washington, D.C., had built after leaving the United States in 1875. It stands across the river from the center of the village and has long been in ruins. As of 2006 it is occupied by a number of local families that give tours to visitors for a small fee.
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Wikipedia