Merida, Yucatan |
| Unprecedented demand for sisal during the First
World War added to the accumulation on wealth from sisal. Farmhouses were
rebuilt as palatial mansions; gardens and courtyards replanted on the scale
of French chateaus. Fine lace and fashions were imported from Paris. Cigars
were probably lit with million-peso notes. Railways were built to get the
product to ports.
Historically, Merida's wealthy inhabitants were land barons from sisal production; the scale of their wealth can be seen today on Paseo Montejo, an avenue which was inspired by the "Paseo de la Reforma" in Mexico City, and other grand avenues of the 19th century in Paris, Madrid, and Berlin. The large, opulent white stone mansions -- today used for public buildings, museums, and corporate offices -- still stand. |
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| In colonial times, the sisal trade with Europe was so important that many of the streets of Merida, the capital of Yucatan, were built out of cobblestones brought from Europe on the return voyage! Why? |
| Answer: Empty ships are difficult to navigate and so stones were taken on board for the empty trip back to the Americas. The sisal trade was a one-way affair! |
