Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 151, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 June 1915 — Home of The Panama Hat [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Home of The Panama Hat

MANY a man wears a beautiful Panama hat woven in Cuenca, but he knows little of where his head’s covering was made, or that this Ecuadorian city sends to the world a large supply of its famous sombreros. Such, however, is the fact; and now that the through route is open via Panama it is likely that Cuenca’s hats and those of other Ecuadorian cities will come to us more directly, quicker and in larger quantities than ever before, says a writer in the Pan American Bulletin. Where Is Cuenca? High up in the Andes, nowhere more majestic than in Ecuador, lies this ancient city, with a present population of 30,000. Through the republic from north to south two chains of the Andes stretch; between these mountains are high tablelands, the most thickly populated sections of Ecuador. About 100 miles apart are the three leading inland cities of the country—Quito In the north, Riobamba in the center, and Cuenca in the south. From ancient times the trade routes have existed between these centers of commerce and with the coast ports, of which Guayaquil is the most Important. The opening of the railway a few years ago from the latter city to Quito brought the capital, and Riobamba as well, into rail communication with the coast; but Cuenca remains 93 miles from this modern artery of commerce. Today the Huigra-Cuenca railroad is building toward Cuenca, and if plans are carried out the present force of laborers will gradually be increased to 1,000 men. The topographical studies have been completed from Huigra, a station on the Guayaquil and. Quito railroad, southward 15 miles; and the preliminary location established about ten miles. Approximately $20,000 per month is being expended for the engineering force which numbers 50 men. Delightful Mountain Climate. Let us press onward and view the old city of Cuenca before the advent of the railroad, before the modernizing effects despoil it of certain charms that appeal to many people. The city that is easily reached by rail is not always the most interesting or the moat hospitable to the stranger.

The visitor will be delighted with the climate of Cuenca. The city lies in a valley 7,800 feet above sea level, and about 70 miles air line southeast of Guayaquil. Cuenca was founded in 1757 on the site of Tumibamba, a settlement that the ancient natives started many years previous to that date. Various mountain peaks dominate the landscape, one of which, Tarqui, was chosen by the French astronomers in 1742 as marking their meridian. The visitor in Cuenca today is rather surprised at the very substantial appearance of its many buildings and the business activity of its streets. The curious dress of the humbler natives, to be seen to the best advantage at the central market place, is especially interesting. The native wares and merchandise spread upon the ground offer the curio hunter and the craft student a varied field of interest. Many Fine Residences. a Along with the older life is seen the modernizing influence that is slowly but surely entering into conditions and affairs. This is especially nbticeable in some of the fine residences of the people of means; many of these are large, with a profusion of flowers adorning their patioß, which are most attractive. Cuenca’s streets have not yet modernized Into well-paved boulevards; the cobblestone is still used, but the vehicles are made with strong wheels especially adapted to service over the stones. The cobblestone is still to be seen in many Latin American cities, but is destined to pass away. Among the public institutions of Cuenca which are rendering important services to the community are the college and the hospital of San Vicente de Paul. In this city and vicinity there are numerous sugar refineries, for the valley of Yunquilla is fertile, and sugar cane is grown in many sections. Gold, silver, copper and mercury are found- in the surrounding mountains, but modern mining operations have not yet been largely undertaken. The tourist, rare In Cuenca, on account of the difficulty of reaching the city by modem means, will wish to visit some of the notable ancient ruins which are situated within a short ride from the city.