Colonia Dublán
Located 187.5 miles northwest from Chihuahua, Nuevo Casas Grandes lies amidst large valleys. It is a young city born around the railroad station built at the beginning of the 20th Century.
There are several interesting buildings, such as the cathedral; the railroad station, originally military quarters; the now abandoned Mormon Church, built in the 19th Century.
The Mormons built two artificial water reserves in 1886, to have water to irrigate their lands, which still fulfill their purpose today.
Mormon Colonies
Mormon settlements began in Chihuahua in 1886 with the communities of Colonia Juárez and Colonia Pacheco, with 96 and 28 inhabitants each. By the following year, Colonia Dublán, Chihuichupa and two others in Sonora were established, totaling 1,500 people. The two that remain prosperous are Colonia Juárez and Colonia Dublán.
Colonia Juárez is a typical Mormon village with many fruit orchards and an excellent school; Academia Juárez, built in 1904, had influenced schooling in the state of Chihuahua. Colonia Dublán, almost part of Nuevo Casas Grandes, stands out because of its architecture, fruit growing and cattle breeding.
El Capulín and other Mennonite Camps
The Mennonite camps are some of Casas Grandes’ attractions. El Capulín is a typical town to learn and admire their organization and conservation of their well kept traditions.
Piñón Hotel and Museum
Established in 1970 by Don Luis A. Piñón, it has an interesting collection of exclusive archaeological pieces, like the pot used during the Death Ceremony described in the series “Casas Grandes”, written by Charles DiPeso, and over 170 Paquimé pots. The inside of this building resembles Paquimé constructions. Av. Benito Juárez # 605, Col. Centro. Ask for opening hours at the hotel.
Rodolfo Fierro Lagoon
Located just a few miles from Casas Grandes, is an ideal place to fish or ski.
The Mormons built it in 1885, when, looking for a way to distribute water from the Casas Grandes River for their crops.
This lagoon provides the precious liquid to Casas Grandes, Nuevo Casas Grandes and Colonia Dublán.
