Cananea, Sonora, Mexico on the Route of the Rio Sonora

Route of the Rio Sonora

Cananea

The city of Cananea was formally established in 1901, but actually traces its roots to the discovery of gold and silver in the area by Jesuit missionaries in 1760. The name comes from the Apache Indian language and literally means "horse meat".

Cananea has a rich history and is still a source of study for historians. The Cananea mining strike of 1906 is considered to be the beginning of the Mexican Revolution and the artifacts and events of that era are presented in exhibits at La Carcel de Cananea, the Cananea jail. Today this building, which was completed in 1902, is a museum and national Historic Monument.

Colonel William C. Greene was a key figure in the development of the mining industry in Cananea. His mansion, which was constructed with local and imported materials, today serves as the guesthouse for visiting astronomers to the nearby Haro Observatory. Visitors are welcome on the grounds but the mansion is generally closed to the public.

Other attractions in Cananea include the Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe church, Benito Juarez Park, Club Campestre with golf course and tennis courts and the Museum Mexicana de Cananea.

The Guillermo Haro Observatory, located in the mountains west of Cananea, is one of the largest and most important in all of Latin America. The Observatory is 2480 meters (8136 ft) above sea level and is open to visitors. The surrounding mountain areas are rich in scenic views and native plants, trees birds and other wildlife.

The Ojo de Agua Arvayo is the headwaters of the Rio Sonora and also the source of water for Cananea. The headwaters of the San Pedro River, which flows north across the border into Cochise County, are located between Cananea and Naco.

The principal economic activity in the area is mining, centered on the massive Mexican de Cananea copper mine just west of the city. Tours of the mine are available to scholastic and tourist groups. The mine is the largest in Mexico.

The turnoff from Mexico Hwy 2 to the Route of the Rio Sonora is on the eastern edge of Cananea onto Sonora Highway 118 and is marked by signs. Cananea marks the northern end of the Route of the Rio Sonora.

Local Guides:

Humberto de Hoyos Ph: 645-332-3544 or 333-0115

Francisco Gerardo Arvayo Alvarez Ph: 645-332-4475

Silvia Briceno Quijada Ph: 645-332-4475

MOTEL EL MEZON
(645)332-6455, 332-6481
CARRETERA CANANEA-AGUAPRIETA KM. 2, Col. INDUSTRIAL, C.P. 84620

MOTEL REAL DEL COBRE
(645)332-2000
CARRETERA KM 1, Col. VALLE DEL COBRE, C.P. 84620

HOTEL ALAMEDA
(645)332-1010
AVE. SONORA 56, Col. CENTRO, C.P. 84620

HOTEL STA FE
(645)332-6034
CARRETERA CANANEA-AGUA PRIETA KM 3.5, Col. S/C, C.P. 84620

HOTEL CENTRAL
(645)332-0032
SONORA 36 Col. CENTRO, C.P. 84620

MOTEL OASIS S.A.
(645)332-6067
CARRETERA AGUA PRIETA 19 Col. INDUSTRIAL COMERCIAL
C.P. 84620

D' CRYSTAL RESTAURANTE
(645)332-5737
BENITO JUAREZ 3325737 ALTOS Col. CENTRO, C.P. 84620

LA CABA�A DEL TIO TOM
(645)332-0375
CALLE 2DA OESTE # 74

RESTAURANT ''COCULA''
(645)332-6285
ENTRONQUE CARR IMURIS-CANANEA S-N Col. CANANEA, C.P. 84620

RESTAURANT LA MINA
(645)332-2379
CARRETERA CANANEA AGUA PRIETA KM 1 Col. VALLE DEL COBRE, C.P. 84620

HOSPITAL GENERAL
(645)332-1329
AVE. OBREGON Y CALLE 1RA Col. CENTRO, C.P. 84620

CLINICA ISSSTE
(645)332-1250
LA REPUBLICA S/N, C.P. 84620

CLINICA OBRERA DE LA SECCION 65
(645)332-0809, 332-0910
SONORA 41 Col. CENTRO, C.P. 84620

CRUZ ROJA MEXICANA
(645)332-1162
CAMPOS MINEROS 31 APOST Col. MINERA SECCION OESTE, C.P. 84620