Chautla Hacienda

He also built the property's signature building, an English style residence, locally called "El Castillo" (The Castle) which overlooks the dam.

Today, only a small fraction of the hacienda remains, and it is run as a recreational and cultural center by an agency of the state of Puebla.

[1] The area has a slightly cooler and wetter climate than Mexico City, and the property is ringed by the remains of what were large forests.

[4] The manor house was originally built by the Marquis of Selva Negra, the first owner of the property, but different parts of the complex date from different times.

[1] It covers about twelve hectares and is divided into two sections by a land bridge that leads to what is considered to be the most iconic building on the property.

[2][4][6] This area of the hacienda was strictly private property[1] until it was turned into a cultural and recreational center by Instituto para la Asistencia Pública del Estado de Puebla, a state agency.

The other popular activity is fishing in the waters behind the dam for trout and other species which are stocked by an organization called "Amatzcalli."

[2][3] The hacienda was created by Manuel Rodriguez de Pinillos y Lopez, who received the title of the first Marquis of Selva Nevada from Carlos III in 1777.

The hacienda was originally established due to the natural resources, the availability of indigenous labor and its proximity to regional markets.

Initially, the hacienda raised corn and wheat on about 6,000 hectares, and included lands that are now incorporated into a number of ranches and villages in both Puebla and Tlaxcala states.

He became a fashionable jeweler and member of Mexico City society, allowing him to meet and then marry the Marchioness.

[8] Under Eulogio, the hacienda specialized in wheat and maguey production, and he worked to introduce modern technology and organizational methods.

Eulogio Gillow introduced electricity in 1903 by building Latin America's first hydroelectric power plant on the estate.

[2][8] His father had introduced the first metal plough, importing it from England, but it had worn so quickly that he later helped a Mr. Marshall establish an iron foundry in Puebla.

As Archbishop he worked to build schools, preserve colonial architecture and pushed for a railway connection between Mexico City and Oaxaca.

The site has been also used in the filming of Mexican telenovelas such as "Dulce desafío", "Pueblo chico, infierno grande" and "El Maleficio."