Rural Tourism

EL QUELITE AND THE LAUREANOS

Text: Dr. Marcos Osuna. Photos: Salvador Herrera

The municipality of El Quelite is along the way to Piaxtla, a shipping port for minerals extracted from the mountains. In 1806, Marquis Camacho was asaulted on this road by a group of aboriginals. José Laureano Campanar, known for the group called the Laureanos, fought many battles against the Spanish in order to take their riches and assault the Collage Hill mines and a lumber company that exploited and shipped trees from Brazil, which were used to produce fine tints used in the fabrication of colorants.

The Marquis from Durango together with the Marquis from Pánuco, traveled to the city of México to get support from Virrey, the President, to put a stop to the fighting and the Laureanos. After many different meetings, at Prieto, the problem was resolved in favour of the Spanish and the groups of bandits were dissolved.

Since then, the Laureanos Disappeared and were not heard from again. Nothing was ever found of the treasures they accumulated except a few coins and a few reliques.

In El Quelite, the people have a gift for being gracious hosts, and are known for their hospitality. It is a very different place to visit in comparison to other municipalities in the country. It can be said that, although a small town within a vast national territory, their uniqueness is shown in their artistic house painting and cleanliness.

The primary attraction in the fantastic country food. Rural Sinaloa gastronomy is one of the best motives for visiting El Quelite. The richness of the country cooking results in the combination of the ingenuity of the people and the great variety of natural ingredients available.

There are numerous and excepcional attractions that appeal to the visitor in El Quelite. The view of the nearby farms and the milk cows, where the milk is processed to make the cheeses used.

Horse back riding along the cobblestone streets or a buggy ride around town to admire the decorated houses and enjoy a beautiful afternoon. Shopping for typical arts and crafts from the region, some made from corn husks and or clay roof tiles painted and decorated, amoung others.

How beautiful is el Quelite. How wonderful that is was founded…