Ojuela
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Ojuela was a small mining settlement located northwest of the Mexican city of Torreon, Coahuila in Northern Mexico. The settlement is now a well known as a "ghost town" as a result of the mineral ore being exhausted.
Ojuela was established after the discovery of a gold and silver mine in the area. This mine produced a large quantity of mineral during the last part of the 19th century. With the advent of the locomotive, all the extracted ore were transported away from the mine by train and processed in the nearby town of Mapimi, Durango.
The origins of the mine can be traced to 1598 when it was discovered by a group of Spanish prospectors. After this discovery, the mineral potential was confirmed and the exploitation begun. Soon the foundations of the town were set. The town was located at the top of a mountain within close proximity to the mines main access. This was done in order to have the workers and other mining staff closest as possible to the operation. The town developed rapidly from a small settlement to a village with all the urban services of that age. This included a post office, Catholic church, several warehouses, general stores and saloons.
At the end of the 19th century the property was acquired by the Peñoles Mining Company. This was one of the first mining operations of this company. At the beginning of the 20th century there were problems with the mining exploitation due to the conflicts and struggles originated by the Mexican Revolution and with the additional problem of the water presence inside the mine. At the end of the revolution the operation continued but soon the mineral reserves were exhausted and the company decided to lease it to a local miners co-operative, therefore the town was gradually abandoned. Now there is no mining activity. However there are a few fossil, rock and stone sellers and some tour guides.
At the current moment the main buildings and other structures are in ruins. It is possible to visit this location and recognize the old church, the foundations of the miners houses, the warehouses, other mining facilities and to have a guided tour down the access of the former mine. The only surviving and functional structure is a suspension bridge. The bridge is known as "Puente de Ojuela" (Ojuela's Bridge) to the locals. It was rebuilt recently by the Peñoles Company, the original was scrapped and only the main arches are now displayed at the Torreon Exposition Center.
Photograph of Ojuela Mine ca. 1910
