MEXICO: Merida's Former Affluence on Display on the Paseo de Montejo

Paseo de Montejo is a boulevard in Mérida, named after Francisco de Montejo, the Spanish conquistador who “founded” the city.

It is lined with large mansions from the late 19^th and early 20^th century.

The mansions are a legacy of the economic boom fueled by the henequén industry.

During the henequén boom, known locally as the era of “Green Gold,” Mérida became one of the wealthiest cities in Mexico. 

The henequén barons chose to display their wealth through their homes.

 

 

 

Henequén, similar to sisal, comes from a type of agave plant that is only grown in Yucatan. The strong fibre was in high demand worldwide for the ropes on ship’s sails and many other goods.

Wealth generated by this industry allowed the small group of affluent henequén barons to commission European architects to design opulent Parisian-inspired villas. They created Paseo de Montejo just outside the city's historic centre with wide boulevards to  mirror the grand Parisian boulevards.

The formerly lucrative henequén industry crashed when the synthetic industry boomed. It devastated  family fortunes and wealthy families were no longer able to maintain their expensive mansions.

Many of these mansions still stand today, but are no longer owned by the original affluent families. Instead they have been bought by corporations with deep pockets, renovated and turned into boutique hotels, restaurants, banks, museums or galleries.

 

 

Yes, that includes Starbucks. 

The Palacio Cantón, originally the home of a General Cantón, is the largest neoclassical building. After several iterations it now houses the Regional Museum of Anthropology.

Another mansion, still owned privately, but by a second family, has opened the home as a museum generating income for the home’s expensive upkeep.

It is very pretty at night with stunning lighting on the buildings.

Entrepreneurs offer caleche rides.

Back during the days of opulence, a very wealthy henequén baron had a daughter that men were interested in courting. The father asked for a chair to be designed that could allow for intimate conversations, BUT, would hinder intimate touching.

The idea caught on and they can be found all over the city. A great plan for parent's of teenagers.