|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The word Tampico has its origins from the huastecas’ words Tam meaning “place of” and Piko “water dogs” referring to the otters that populated the region before the Spaniards conquerors. Initially Tampico was located along the river shores near Cd Cuauhtémoc Veracruz (a.k.a. Pueblo Viejo) and was initially populated by the huasteca Indians.
In 1532, Fray Andrés de Olmos offered the Indians his protection against the pirate’s attacks and, with the approval of the second Viceroy of New Spain, Don Luis Velasco; starts a new home and monastery from the Order of Saint Francis, with the double purpose of protect the Indians, and convert them to Christians. This brings the foundation of Tampico Colonial or Villa de San Luis de Tampico in honor to the Viceroy. This town was first populated by people from Villa de Santiesteban de Panuco and was not officially a Village until 1560.
The frequent visits of Fray Andrés did not stop the pirates’ attacks, which under the command of Sir Laurent Graft became too frequent for the local population. This motivated their migration to a new site called Tampico Joya. Due to the extreme weather and other diseases, Fray Matías de Terron and Don Jose de Escandón voted to move to this new site, and founded a new Village on January 15th, 1754; under the name of Villa de San Luis de Tampico or Villa de San Salvador. Today, this town is known as Tampico Alto, State of Veracruz. During colonial times, the salt mining operations fueled the economic growth of the region and favored the maritime commerce. For this reason, the inhabitants of Altamira deemed necessary to create a new customs to be located in the heights of the old Tampico. They requested permission to Gral. Antonio López de Santa Anna, then Mexico’s President and on April 12th, 1823; today’s Tampico was founded with the name of Santa Anna de Tampico and became the main entry port for goods of Northeast Mexico. Main export goods included coinage silver from San Luis Potosi, imports were mainly from the State of Lousiana U.S.A. and included goods like clothing and construction materials which by the way influenced the construction style of our City.
On November 24th, 1825; the City of Tampico got its Shield of Arms, it show an Indian navigating on a boat on the river, and on its shores there are to otters (“water dogs”) and four palm trees representing the animals and vegetation typical of this region. In the main axis of the shield, a Silver Star represents hope for better days. On March 28th, 1861 troops under the command of Lt. Col. José Hernández got under arms and vouched to fight the foreign invaders comprising, Spaniards, French and English.. By the end of 1862, the French General Forey orders his troops to disembark in Tampico. More than a thousand men strong enters the Fort Iturbide located at the La Cortadura Channel getting as far as Liberty Square. The Mexican General, Desiderio Pavón had already vacated the City and stayed in the surrounding areas. On January 2nd, 1863 the Forey orders the French troops off Tampico. Only a few months later, Forey again invades Tampico and the Mexican, Pedro J. Méndez occupies Rancho Nuevo, situated between Altamira and the Sea and establishes Siege on Tampico cutting off supplies to the invaders. The following months, the guerrillas along with the Mexican brigades from the center and the south of Tamaulipas leave Altamira and take Fort Iturbide. After some bloody battles during August and the surrender of the French troops an armistice is signed marking the end of the French occupation of Tampico.
On April 17th, 1890, the railroad was introduced in Tampico what created the need for coal to be imported from Europe. This brought great improvements to the Port, among them, the construction of a lighthouse and the new building for the Maritime Customs. However, during the crisis of 1900, there was a need to attract new investments and open new markets. For this reason, foreign investment for the oil exploration in the region was allowed. Oil was finally found near Tampico and this marked the beginning of a new era that brought several changes to the region. Among them, the population increases from 5,000 to 100,000 in just 10 years, new housing developments, sports clubs and commercial establishments. Being a City growing and friendly to foreigners, Tampico was an important City for new immigrants from other countries that were willing to work hard and their work contributed to the flourishment of our City.
|
Articles from our 14th Edition Tampico, victim of Pirates, Bucaneers, and Privateers
León Trotsky in Tampico
New Street Names
Tampico Wakeboard City
Tajín Summit
Convention Center
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
