The ‘Hacienda Hunters’: Uncovering Mexico’s hidden history
Jim and Carol Cook are now better known as the "Hacienda Hunters" thanks to their love of finding Mexico's colonial ruins, writes John Pint. The post The ‘Hacienda Hunters’: Uncovering Mexico’s hidden history appeared first on Mexico News Daily
In 2007, Jim and Carol Cook moved to Ajijic, a town on Lake Chapala in Mexico, where they embarked on a quest to uncover the rich history of Mexico. Jim Cook remarked, "We started out looking at colonial ruins, and quickly discovered that there were 5,000 years of history behind what we were investigating. It was like peeling an onion: whatever you found had many more layers beneath it."
The couple quickly discovered that almost every small town or village, or "pueblito," in the region had been associated with a historical hacienda. Some of these haciendas had been transformed into municipal buildings or the original chapel had become a local church. However, many of the haciendas were preserved in their original state, and the owners often welcomed the Cooks and their friends as guests.
The "Hacienda Hunters" soon became a local phenomenon, with Jim Cook's historical research appearing on a blog called "Jim and Carol's Mexico Adventure," which resembled a photo journal. The photos in the blog were exceptional, with a soft focus that made them resemble Matisse paintings. The blog featured not only haciendas but also archaeological sites and historical ruins throughout Mexico.
One of the most impressive sites that the Cooks visited was the ex-Hacienda de Santo Tomás, located near the town of Hostotipaquillo in Jalisco. This hacienda, built in 1668, was a major silver processing hub during the 18th century and featured a well-preserved fortified mansion. When the Cooks visited, they were pleasantly surprised by the friendly response from the owner, who allowed them to explore and photograph the entire property.
Another fascinating find was the Great Palace of Sayil, located on the Puuc Route in the Yucatán Peninsula near Mérida. This Maya ruin boasted an 85-meter-long facade built on a two-terraced platform with 90 bedrooms. Although this site is part of the Puuc Route, it was largely unvisited by tourists, making it a hidden gem for the Cooks and their followers.
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