Other tokens from Sinaloa

Mazatlán

Carlos Fritsch

Carlos Fritsch set up in business in Mazatlán at the beginning of the 20th century. His company, Carlos Fritsch y Cia., is listed as established in 1916, with its principle imports as groceries, hardware, lumber, notions, electrical supplies, Japanes and Chines goods and principal exports as hides and castor beans^{Pacific Ports Annual, Fifth Edition - 1919, Pacific Ports Inc., Seattle, U.S.A.}. The company produced postdards such as the one above.

Grove 1430
Obverse: CARLOS FRITSCH / MAZATLAN
Reverse: 5 5
21mm. brass

Ferrocarril Urbano de Mazatlán

Obverse: FERROCARRIL URBANO DE MAZATLAN / JESUS / ESCOVAR / PRESIDENTE
Reverse: NO SE RECIBEN QUEBRADOS ESTOS BOLETOS / VALE / UN / PASAJE
23mm. vulkanite

Ferrocarril Urbano de Mazatlán built one of Mexico’s first horse-drawn street railways in 1876, and had nearly four miles of urban railway track by 1905. The system was even making an early move toward mechanization with small steam locomotives replacing some of its mules in 1908. Unfortunately, the system was shut down in 193, a victim of the Mexican Revolution.

Jesús Escovar was owner of the Compañía de Gas Hidrogeno, which supplied gas lighting to Matzatlán from mid 1868. He then got the contract to install electrical streetlights and electrical grids in 1896. He was president of the Ferrocarril Urbano, and a commission agent.

Hotel Central

The Hotel Central, on the corner of calle Principal (now Belisario Dominguez) and calle    (now Angel Flores) opened its doors in 1888 and until 1930 was one of the best in the city and on the Pacific Coast. It had a central patio surrounded by wooden screen with fine coloured glass that were used for private dances. Its restaurant offered gourmet cuisine with a European orientation and in its bar, you could find the finest wines from the old continent and taste the most exotic cocktails.

There are few, if any, hotels in Sinaloa that surpass the Hotel Central of Mazatlan. This spacious and modern hostelry, which covers an area 300 x 300 feet, is located at 364 Calle Principal, in the heart of the city’s business center. It was opened in September, 1888, and from the outset has proven a decided success, because of the excellent accommodations provided and the liberal rates charged. The various departments are spacious and complete. All the rooms are lighted with electricity, while four large bathrooms are provided for guests. The patio is particularly beautiful, with its wealth of tropical shrubs and flowers. There are twenty airy and well furnished guest rooms, while the dining rooms, parlors, etc., are in every way in keeping with a first-class hotel. The saloon is beautifully fitted up and is well stocked with the choicest brands of imported and domestic wines, liquors and cigars, while all kinds of mixed drinks may be had.
It is patronized by the leading business and professional men of Rosario. The table is always provided with the best staples and delicacies that the markets afford, and in the various departments sixteen experienced helpers are employed.
The Hotel Central is under the management of Mr. Francisco Quevedo, and to his efforts much of the success of the enterprise is due. He is a man of wide experience in catering to the wants of the public, and before assuming his present charge was manager of the Casino Club of Mazatlan. Mr. Quevedo is very popular with the traveling public and with the people of his own city.
The Central is the only hotel in Mazatlan offering superior accommodations to transients. The people of Mazatlan have a right to feel proud of the Hotel Central^{El Estado de Sinaloa, Mexico, Sus Industrias Comerciales, Mineras y Manufacturas, J. R. Southworth, San Francisco, November 1898}

(The Oasis, Arizola, Arizona, 1 July 1911)

Obverse: HOTEL / CENTRAL / F. QUEVEDO / MAZATLAN
Reverse: 5
21mm. brass