A Very Brief History

Initially Guadalajara was just considered a kind of thoroughfare in the Mexican west. It later became a very touristy city and an obliged visit in West of the country. Guadalajara is the capital of the state of Jalisco and has a history of about 450 years.

Various indigenous groups including the Aztecs initially inhabited the area of Jalisco. When the Spaniards began their conquest and colonization of Mexico, they tried to establish Guadalajara to have representation in the eastern part of the country. There were a total of four attempts to found the city but were warded off by the indigenous people fought hard to avoid the colonization of their land.

On February 14th , 1542, Antonio de Mendoza y Cristóbal de Oñate found a place to shield themselves from the Indians in the Valley of Atemajac, and decided to found the city of Guadalajara there. King Carlos I of Spain granted the Coat of Arms establishing the title of city and naming this valley haven, capital of Nueva Galicia in 1560. Initially the main sources revenue for Guadalajara was mining and agriculture. In a short space of time, large haciendas started to appear, which helped the growing city become a large commercial centre in Eastern Mexico. It was not long before Fray Pedro de Ayala placed the cornerstone for the Cathedral Metropolitana.

In 1742 wheels were put in motion for the creation of the Universidad de Guadalajara and the first printing press was established in 1792 enabling El Despertador Americano (The American Awakener), the first independent newspaper, to be published in 1810. Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla or the Father of Independence was instrumental in abolishing slavery. This set the stage for a war of Reform in Jalisco. The city suffered two hard fought wars with the French in 1864. After World War II the city’s economy grew with the shoe and clothing industry. In 1965 the October Fest was announced to the city's official celebrations to attract tourism and promote commerce, culture and entertainment. Gradually the city has become a tourist destination recognized globally for it rich cultural heritage, traditions, exhibits as well as its congresses and conventions.

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