Poza Rica history

Foundation and First Mentions

Unlike many Mexican cities with a colonial past, Poza Rica is a comparatively young city whose history began in the 20th century. Initially, a small settlement (ranchería) known as Poza de Cuero was located in this territory. Local residents had long known about oil seeps in the area, calling them "chapopoteras".

The official starting point in the city's history is considered to be the early 1930s. The key event was the drilling of a well that confirmed the presence of huge oil reserves. It was then that the name of the area changed to Poza Rica, which literally translates as "Rich Well" or "Rich Pit", symbolising the abundance of natural resources.

Key Factors of Establishment

The transformation of a small settlement into an important urban centre was rapid and driven by several factors:

• Geology and Geography: Its location in the northern part of the state of Veracruz, in a territory with one of the richest oil fields in Mexico, determined the city's fate.
• Industrial Boom: The discovery of the field in 1930 by the "El Águila" company attracted capital and technology. Later, following the nationalisation of the oil industry, the city became a strategic centre for the state company PEMEX.
• Infrastructure: To service the fields, a narrow-gauge railway known as "La Maquinita" was built. It connected the region with the coast and accelerated the delivery of equipment and people.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economy of early Poza Rica was entirely focused around the extraction of "black gold". The city developed as a work camp, which quickly acquired permanent structures, schools, and hospitals financed by oil revenues.

The cultural environment was formed through internal migration: workers from all over the country flocked here in search of high earnings. This created the atmosphere of a dynamic, cosmopolitan industrious city. Poza Rica received the official status of a Free Municipality only in 1951, which cemented its transition from a temporary oil settlement to a fully-fledged city.

The Era of the Oil Boom and Formation

• 1905: The "Cobos-Furbero" narrow-gauge railway is built, laying the foundation for the region's transport infrastructure even before the discovery of major fields.
• 1930: The famous "Poza Rica 2" well is drilled, confirming colossal oil reserves and launching the industrial development of the zone.
• 1932: The workers' settlement definitively secures the name Poza Rica, beginning to grow rapidly due to the influx of workers.
• 1938: Following the nationalisation of the oil industry, the management of the fields passes to the state company Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX).
• 1947: The legendary locomotive No. 59, known as "La Maquinita", arrives in the city, becoming a symbol of progress and a vital transport link.

Official Status and City Development

• 1951: The Legislature of the State of Veracruz issues Decree No. 77, officially proclaiming the creation of the Free Municipality of Poza Rica de Hidalgo.
• 1952: The first elected city council begins its work, led by Francisco Lira Lara.
• 1959: A monumental mosaic by Pablo O'Higgins is unveiled on the façade of the Municipal Palace, depicting the transition from agriculture to the oil industry.
• 1960: The city becomes the headquarters of the PEMEX Northern Zone Superintendency, cementing its status as the economic capital of northern Veracruz.

Modern Period

• 1988: The "18th of March" Civic Plaza (Plaza Cívica 18 de Marzo) is inaugurated, becoming the main venue for city events.
• 2008: Implementation of economic diversification projects begins, aimed at developing trade and educational services in addition to oil extraction.
• 2010: Inclusion of the "Voladores" ritual (common in the Totonacapan region, of which Poza Rica is a centre) in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Stages of Modern Transformation

If the 20th century in the history of Poza Rica was marked by "black gold", recent decades have signalled a course towards renewal. The city is actively seeking new meanings, transforming from a purely industrial centre into a cultural and educational hub for northern Veracruz. Here are the key milestones of this latest period:

• Development of the University Cluster (since the 1970s).
  Strengthening the position of the regional campus of the University of Veracruz (Universidad Veracruzana) became a strategic pivot. This allowed the city to reorient itself towards training qualified personnel not only for the oil and gas industry but also for medicine, arts, and engineering, making Poza Rica a student centre of the region.
• Creation of a Social Support Centre (2009).
  The opening of the Rehabilitation Centre (CRIT Veracruz) was an important event in social life. The appearance of a high-tech medical facility of a federal level secured the city's status as the main healthcare centre for the northern part of the state and neighbouring regions.
• Urban Modernisation (2010s).
  The construction of a massive road interchange (Distribuidor Vial) in the city centre radically changed its appearance. This infrastructure project was designed to solve the problem of growing traffic and symbolically marked Poza Rica's aspiration towards modern standards of urban mobility.
• Cultural Renaissance (since 2014).
  The establishment of the "Festival Poza Rica de las Artes" opened a new chapter in the city's life. This annual event, combining music, theatre, and street performances, helps shape the city's image as a place for creativity and tourism, going beyond industrial stereotypes.
• Consolidation of the Metropolis (Modern Stage).
  The official formalisation of the Metropolitan Zone, including Poza Rica, Tihuatlán, Coatzintla, and Papantla, strengthened the economic weight of the agglomeration. This cooperation allows for the joint development of transport, tourism, and investment attraction, making the region the second most important economic hub in the state of Veracruz.

Urbanism of the "Oil Capital"

The architectural appearance of Poza Rica is unique for the state of Veracruz. Unlike neighbouring cities with a colonial past, you will not find Baroque, Gothic, or Spanish Colonial styles here. Poza Rica is a monument to the industrial era of the 20th century, a city built by oilmen for oilmen. Its layout and development were dictated not by royal decrees, but by the pragmatic needs of a rapidly developing industry.

Eras and Architectural Styles

The development of the city can be clearly divided into stages, each of which has left its mark on the urban environment:

• Early Industrial Period (1930s–1950s): Characterised by the vernacular architecture of workers' settlements. Residential areas, historically known as "Campos" (Camps), were built up with simple functional buildings, often wooden. The main visual dominant feature of the landscape was, and remains, the oil derricks integrated directly into the residential fabric of the city.
• Institutional Modernism (1950s–1980s): This is the "golden age" of construction. During this period, thanks to oil revenues, monumental public buildings were constructed. Functionalism and the International Style prevail: clear geometric shapes, the use of concrete, glass, and steel, a lack of excessive decoration, and an emphasis on utility and durability.
• Modern Stage (since the 1990s): Characterised by eclectic commercial development (shopping malls, chain hotels) and large-scale infrastructure projects designed to modernise the logistics of the agglomeration.

Iconic Structures

Despite its youth, Poza Rica boasts objects of high artistic and historical value that have shaped its recognisable appearance:

• Municipal Palace (Palacio Municipal): A striking example of civic architecture from the mid-20th century. The building is executed in a strict modern style, but its main value lies in its artistic decoration.
• Monumental Mosaic by Pablo O'Higgins: Located on the façade of the city hall, this work titled "From Pre-Hispanic Times to the Industrial Era" (1959) is a masterpiece of Mexican muralism and social realism. It visualises the history of the region and the social significance of labour.
• Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe): An interesting example of religious architecture from the second half of the 20th century, combining traditional temple functions with modernist forms and engineering solutions.
• Road Interchange (Distribuidor Vial): A massive engineering structure of the 21st century that has become a symbol of the city's modern urbanism. The concrete overpass runs through the centre, radically changing the perception of urban space and creating a "second level" to the city.

Figures of Culture and Sports

• Luis Hernández (Luis Hernández)
  Role: Professional Footballer
  A legendary striker, known worldwide by the nickname "El Matador". A native of Poza Rica, he became one of the top scorers in the history of the Mexican national team and an idol to millions, bringing fame to his hometown on the international stage.
• Delia Casanova (Delia Casanova)
  Role: Theatre, Film, and Television Actress
  A recognised icon of Mexican art, born in Poza Rica. Over her long career, she has played many significant roles in classic cinema and popular telenovelas, becoming an example of creative success for residents of the region.
• Pablo O'Higgins (Pablo O'Higgins)
  Role: Muralist Painter
  Although he was not born in the city, his connection to Poza Rica is unbreakable. O'Higgins created the monumental mosaic on the façade of the Municipal Palace — the city's main artistic asset, symbolising its history and identity.

Historical Figures and City Planners

• Jaime J. Merino (Jaime J. Merino)
  Role: Engineer, PEMEX Superintendent
  A key figure in the city's history in the mid-20th century. As the head of the local division of the oil company, he effectively led the construction of modern Poza Rica, initiating the building of schools, hospitals, and roads that serve the city to this day.
• Francisco Lira Lara (Francisco Lira Lara)
  Role: Educator and First Mayor
  A respected teacher who went down in history as the first democratically elected president of the municipality of Poza Rica in 1952. His administration marked the transition from oil company management to civil administration.
• Heriberto Kehoe Vincent (Heriberto Kehoe Vincent)
  Role: Union Leader
  An influential leader of Section 30 of the Oil Workers' Union. His activities contributed to a significant improvement in the living conditions of workers and the development of urban infrastructure during the oil boom.