History of Calle Sierra Gorda:
Casita Las Golondrinas, Casita Los Colibris and La Mariposita are on the second floor (the owners live on the first floor) on old and narrow one-block long street named Sierra Gorda. During the early 18th century the Spanish army, who over-saw the transhipment of silver to Spain from the mines of Guanajuato, was bivouracked here, because the spot provided an excellent viewpoint of the Camino Real (the road leading to Queretaro and Mexico City beyond). One of the oldest 'capillas' in San Miguel (at the end of Sierra Gorda) has a map detailing the encampment.
Later on in the 18th century, the Spanish had immense flocks of cattle and sheep in the state of Guanajuato, among which was the Rancho Atascadero, in the outskirts of San Miguel (now known as a hotel). A tannery was developed at the western gate (still standing...Calle Santo Domingo passes through it 2 blocks from the house) and our house was originally a caretaker's casita for the tannery. See photo of stairs
Immediate surroundings:
I bought the property in 1985 (for slightly over 2,000,000 Old Pesos--the equivalent of US $7100--See picture), because of the excellent view. Later that year, David Hernandez, from an old San Miguel family of builders ('abaniles'), and I got married in Santa Fe. In 1990, David and I moved from Santa Fe down to San Miguel and started to build house... In the 25 years since I bought the property, many fine homes (worth up to a million US dollars or more) have been biult around us!
Golf:
There is a golf course (La Malaguin) on the southern edge of San Miguel... Green fees start at US $35 to $50...
Other Activities:
local fiestas, touring near-by historic towns, concerts, lectures, art galleries