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Matamoros History, Mexico

The foundation for the city of Matamoros was laid somewhere in the year 1686 by Captain Alonso de León. He was part of Nuevo Reino de León and it was him who established Congregación de los Esteros Hermosos which later on become the city of Matamoros. By the year 1774 the name for this newly found town was changed to San Juan de los Esteros Hermosos. The reason behind the changing of this name was the business of raising cattle which was the most happening business on this land during those historical days.

The city faced another name change somewhere in the year 1793 when missionaries of Colegio de Zacatecas called this place by the name of Nuestra Señora del Refugio de los Esteros. Soon everyone in and around this town started to call this place by the name of Nuestra Señora del Refugio de los Esteros. Finally it was the year 1826 when this small but quickly growing town was named as Matamoros. This name was given to honor the memory of Mariano Matamoros who was actually an insurgent hero of those days.

Although the city was named Matamoros yet during those times the locals of this city used to call the city by the name of Villa del Refugio or El Refugio in their local mother tongue. Few years passed and the original place where the city of Villa del Refugio was located suffered by sever flooding. So, by the year 1814 the city was moved to another higher point and construction work started at that point.

It was the year 1834 when the town of Villa del Refugio (or the so called Villa de Matamoros) was given the status of a city. The city of Matamoros was named as hit by enemies but the army which was being led by Mayor Macedonio Capistrán and General Francisco Ávalos managed to defeat those who were trying to occupy this newly formed city.

The city of Matamoros was hit by the famous cotton age between the years 1948 and 1962. This was the time when the city of Matamoros faced the huge economic boom which helped the economy of the city to jump up exponentially. The quality cotton which was produced during those years became famous in many parts of this planet and so did the city of Matamoros gained recognition internationally.