Colonia Dublán facts for kids
Colonia Dublán started as a Mormon settlement in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. Today, it is part of the Nuevo Casas Grandes Municipality. It is one of only two Mormon colonies still existing in Mexico. The other is Colonia Juárez.
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Why Did Mormons Settle in Mexico?
In the late 1800s, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints faced challenges in the United States. New laws made some of their practices illegal. These laws also took away voting rights from people who followed certain church teachings. Many church leaders were arrested. This made it hard for their communities to function normally.
Because of these problems, many Mormons looked for new places to live. They wanted a safe place where they could practice their beliefs freely.
Scouting for New Lands
In 1875, some church members went to Mexico. Their job was to preach and find land for new settlements. They were impressed by cities like Chihuahua.
Later, in 1879, a man named Emilio Biebuyck offered land in Mexico. He had permission from the Mexican government to help set up colonies. He even offered money to help the settlers. At first, the church leaders were not ready to accept this offer.
Starting the First Settlements
In 1885, church leaders rented land in northern Chihuahua. Mormon families from Utah and Arizona began to plant crops there. Soon, about 350 settlers had joined this new community.
Some local officials became worried about the growing number of Mormon settlers. They thought the Mormons might have bad intentions. The settlers were told to leave quickly. However, some church leaders met with the governor of Chihuahua. He had met Mormons before and liked them. He welcomed them to settle in his state.
The first Mormon pioneers arrived in Mexico in 1885. They founded Colonia Díaz.
The Founding of Colonia Dublán
In 1888, George M. Brown bought a large piece of land. It was about 73,000 acres (295 square kilometers). This land was north of the Casas Grandes River. The new settlement was first called Colonia Huller. George Lake was the first Mormon settler there. Many others followed in the spring of 1889.
There was a problem with the land deal, so settlers could not get official ownership. They had to rent land or buy it individually. When the colony started, the closest train station was 110 miles (177 km) away. Most goods had to come from the United States, which made prices very high.
The Railroad Arrives
In 1897, a railroad was built. It connected Ciudad Juárez to a spot about 12 miles (19 km) from Dublán. This railroad was a huge help for the colony. It made it much cheaper to bring in goods and send out products.
Life in the Colonies
The Mexican colonies offered a safe place from problems in the United States. They also created new chances to share their faith. Families who moved there wanted to build a lasting home for their children.
Even though they escaped problems in the U.S., they faced new difficulties. These included diseases, political unrest, and conflicts with local Mexican people. They also dealt with droughts.
Hard Work and Growth
The colonists were very poor at first. They worked hard to build homes and farms. They took any low-paying jobs they could find. After many years, the colonies began to do well. They showed great effort and developed their own culture.
The towns were planned like Salt Lake City, with wide streets. They looked a lot like other Mormon settlements.
Challenges During the Mexican Revolution
During the Mexican Revolution, Mexican revolutionaries were suspicious of the Mormon colonists. The colonists were Americans and often wealthier than their Mexican neighbors. They also had special rights from the government of Porfirio Díaz. Plus, they were loyal to the United States and mostly of European background.
Because of these reasons and the ongoing revolution, groups led by Pancho Villa Rebel forced the colonists to leave. This happened in 1912.
Leaving Their Homes
On July 28, 1912, the colonists were ordered to leave their homes. Within two days, almost all of them had fled. They hoped this would be a short break. But when some residents returned in 1912 and 1915, they found that most of their property had been burned. There was little left to save.
Most of the colonists moved to Utah and Arizona. Only a few original settlers returned to Colonia Dublán and Colonia Juárez. The other six colonies were never settled again.
In 1916, Colonia Dublán was chosen as the main base for the Pancho Villa Expedition. This was because it was close to the railroad.
Colonia Dublán is also famous as the birthplace of George W. Romney. He was a U.S. government official. He was also the father of U.S. Senator Mitt Romney.
Colonia Dublán Today
Today, Colonia Dublán is a very small town. It is located just north of Nuevo Casas Grandes. Most people who live there work in agriculture. They grow crops like peaches, apples, pecans, and chile. They also produce a lot of wheat and raise cattle.
Most members of the Mormon community in Dublán are now of Mexican descent. The descendants of the original settlers still belong to the LDS Church. They continue to play an important role in the church in Mexico.
See also
In Spanish: Colonia Dublán para niños
