1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Valladolid (Mexico)

VALLADOLID, a town of Mexico, in the state of Yucatan, 90 m. S.E. of Merida, with which it is connected by rail. Pop. about 5000. It is situated in a healthy and fertile part of Yucatan, and is a resort for invalids. It has a number of old churches, a Jesuits' college, town hall, hospital and aqueduct, and the better class of residences are of the usual type, low, large-roomed structures in the midst of gardens. It was founded in 1544, soon after the conquest, and was planned to be a great ecclesiastical centre, but these plans were not realized and its churches and other fine buildings have fallen into decay. Its manufactures include cotton goods and tobacco. The inhabitants, chiefly descendants of the ancient Mayas, have frequently revolted against their rulers. In 1910 they were in a state of insurrection, assisted by the wild tribesmen of the neighbouring territory of Quintana Roo, on which occasion Valladolid was captured by them and many of its officials and prominent white residents were massacred.