History

The earliest settlements in the area go back over 10,000 years and are situated near what is today the Lerma River. The earliest known inhabitands of the area were the Mazahua. It was originally called "Ñiñi Mbate" which probably means 'place of the small plain' but possibly 'place of the first man'. This area was conquered by the Aztecs before the 16th century, and its last Aztec governor was named Ocoyotzen. When the Spanish invaded, the Mazahuas and the Otomis of this area united with the Aztecs to fight them. However, after the Spanish victory, Hernán Cortés distributed this area, along with Metepec to Francisco de Villegas in 1540. In 1535, the Franciscans began evangelization here, establishing churches and renaming the area, San Miguel Temascalcingo. Through the 18th century, haciendas here grew to supply grain to mining areas like Tlalpujahua and El Oro. Because of a history of mistreatment by colonial authorities, the residents here sided early with Hidalgo when the Mexican War of Independence broke out in 1810. Shortly after the end of the war, the State of Mexico was created in 1824 and the municipality of Temascalcingo in 1825, with San Miguel Temascalcingo as the seat. This area was the scene of a destructive earthquake in 1912. As the birthplace of the painter José María Velasco Gómez, the town changed its name to Temascalcingo de José María Velasco July 14, 1945 by decree. However, it is still commonly referred to simply as "Temascalcingo". In 1988, a group of residents from Tepeolulco, a community under Temascalcingo's jurisdiction, took over the municipal hall to protest water supplies and civil rights violations.^[1]

The town today

The town today has an altitude of 2,380 meters and in 2005 had a population of 11,454 people.^[3] The town is centered on a square called the Plaza Centenario, with its Municipal Palace to the south of the square. To the north is another, smaller square dedicated to painter José María Velasco.^[4]

To the west of the main plaza is the Parish of San Miguel Arcángel. This church was rebuilt in 1939 in Neoclassic style, mostly imitating the design of the Church of El Carmen in Celaya, Guanajuato. It was built with pink stone that is found in this region. It has only one tower, which contains a clock. Its interior altarpieces are all done in mahogany by sculptor Fidel Enríquez Pérez. In front of the church is a large atrium park.^[5]

The Centro Cultural José María Velasco, on Hermanos Velascos Street, is dedicated to the art of this landscape painter. Most of Velasco's themes reside in botany and in nature, but he is best known for the landscapes he painted of areas in central Mexico. Also in his honor is the José María Velasco Nature Park, located at the main entrance to the town. This is a section of forest that offers some amenities such as kiosks, playgrounds, and a small pool.^[4]

Food and festivities

Local dishes include chicken in "chirrión" sauce, "charales con nopales, cactus in green salsa, and "mole de olla" with xoconostles (a type of fruit). Local drinks include "puscua," a drink made from corn, "sende choo," a Mazahua drink made from fermented corn and pulque, which is often served flavored with fruit such as cactus pears.^[4]

From December 31 to January 1, Mazahua and Otomi pilgrims come here to celebrate the "Lord of the Coronation," carrying their images of this saint adorned with flowers, fruit and bread, accompanied by flutes, mariachis or drums. Local dances such as "Las Pastoras," "Los Concheros," "Los Macheteros," "Los Romanos" and "Los Chimales" are performed. At midday on January 1, there is a procession to the church. On Jan 2, men on horseback arrive here in honor of the image here of Saint Francis of Assisi.^[4]

The passion play held every year since 1975, whose script was written by Amalio Quintana.^[6] During this Passion Play, young men re-enact the crucifixion of Christ. The Feast of Corpus Christi is celebrated in June with large processions as well. A more locally derived festival occurs on the 16th of August, in honor of "Lord Ndareje" or "Lord of the Water." Prehispanic rites occur at the Los Pastores waterfall and offerings are left in the Lerma River.^[4]

Notable residents

Some notable people from this town include: José Maria Velasco, (1840–1912) who was a painter of landscapes, Archbishop Leopoldo Ruiz y Flóres, (1865–1941) suffered the exile three times during the Cristero movement in Mexico, María del Carmen Garduño Cervantes (born 1955), a track-and-field athlete who has won medals in the PanAmerican Games and set Mexican records, and Pinito Reynoso Bejarano (1895–1981) and educator best known for his work against illiteracy.^[1]

• 
  Centenario Kiosk
• 
  San Miguel Arcangel Church
• 
  Municipal Palace