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Hacienda San Diego
Hacienda San Diego is one of the grand estates built by Luis Terrazas prior to the Mexican Revolution. Terrazas did not come from a privileged family but married into one. Politically shrewd, he became governor of Chihuahua in 1859. In this position, he began accumulating lands previously owned by other hacendados, or hacienda owners whose misfortunes due to politics or Apache raiding made their holdings unusable. As the Mexican government began focusing on the Apache problem in Chihuahua, Terrazas had proved himself to be an able organizer and Indian fighter. While the local population viewed the federal government as incompetent, Luis Terrazas was popular.
Over time through shrewd dealings, political power, and connections, Terrazas became very wealthy, even by today’s standards. He owned a substantial part of the state of Chihuahua, ran extensive cattle operations, and possessed some two dozen haciendas. Hacienda San Diego was one of his smaller holdings with “only” 150,000 acres of land. Construction of the San Diego great house began in 1902 and required two years to complete. Terrazas spared no expense. European stone masons carved and fit cantera (carved volcanic stone) blocks throughout the house and exterior. An elaborate cantera piece above the entrance to the house shows Terrazas’ initials and the hacienda’s name. Separate cantera medallions announce the starting and ending dates of construction. An interior cantera fireplace is still graceful today. The stone masons identified their work with a mark unique to each man. Over two dozen individual “maker’s marks” have been located here.
The hacienda is an excellent example of the forces which provoked the Mexican Revolution. Running an hacienda required many laborers. At a time when there was no middle class, these people lived their lives in economic bondage. Owning little, their lives were dictated by the hacendado (hacienda owner). A building nearby to the main house is divided into a row of rooms facing away from the great house, tiny dwellings where the laborers and their families lived. The disparity between rich and poor increased until it became unsustainable and the people revolted early in 1911.
The Mexican Revolution drove Terrazas from Mexico to exile in El Paso, Texas where he watched his land and cattle holdings disappear to the revolutionaries. After the Revolution, the family was able to regain some lands but his power was gone. Luis Terrazas died in Mexico in 1923.
Hacienda San Diego had a short role in the Mexican Revolution when it was the site of Madero assembling his troops prior to the attack on Casas Grandes. An historical photograph below shows troops commanded by Madero on horseback in front of the hacienda.
Hacienda San Diego is owned today by the State of Chihuahua and privately occupied by a family whose grandmother worked for Luis Terrazas at the turn of the century. The hacienda is open to visitors. To avoid disruptions, it is best to schedule a time to visit in advance. Tour groups can optionally schedule a meal hosted at the hacienda. Contact our office for assistance.
Photographed in 1911, Francisco Madero assembles his troops prior to the attack on federal troops at Casas Grandes.
