La Laja: Local History and Architecture
Accommodation in La Laja
The history of La Laja unfolds through its historic routes, town center, and various traces of local architecture and tequila history. Historically, La Laja was also known as Paso de La Laja because it was located on the Camino Real between Guadalajara and the Altos de Jalisco. La Laja also lies on the free highway between Guadalajara and Zapotlanejo. The name Paso de La Laja recalls the Camino Real; the free highway adds another location reference to this historical context.
Square and Town Center
The square is considered the center of La Laja and was renovated during the 1998–2000 administration. A large stone fountain stands in its center. At the heart of the fountain is a sculpture depicting tequila production, created by José Lomeli in 2000. The two dates refer to different things: 1998–2000 identifies the administration during which the square was renovated, while 2000 is the year the sculpture was created.
Chapels and Temple
The San José Obrero Chapel is located at Calle Allende 40, opposite the square. Its simple altarpiece contains a depiction of Jesus on the cross and a sculpture of Saint Joseph. A lithograph of Our Lady of Guadalupe is also located on the chapel’s western plinth.
The first chapel in La Laja was built in the 19th century. Its façade and interior are simple; the bells hang in an espadaña, an open bell gable.
The San José Obrero Temple in La Laja has a rectangular floor plan with three naves. The façade is unfinished and faced with exposed brick. On the west side stands a small metal tower that holds the bell used to summon the faithful to services. The floor plan, façade finish, and bell tower describe three different architectural features: the spatial layout, the exterior treatment, and the location of the bell.
Puente La Laja and Its History
The Puente La Laja bridge still stands west of La Laja. It was built toward the end of the colonial period and is now practically in ruins. A document from 1802 proposed building the Puente La Laja together with the Calderón Bridge. The year 1802 refers to the documented proposal; the Puente La Laja is considered to have been built at the end of the colonial period.
Agave Cultivation and Tequila History
Blue agave is cultivated in La Laja. The Newton tequila distillery was founded there in 1920 and later closed. Tequila Cuervo has been based in La Laja for several decades. These details reflect different aspects of local tequila history: agricultural cultivation, a distillery that was founded and later closed, and Tequila Cuervo’s long-standing presence. The year 1920 refers to Newton’s founding; it does not date agave cultivation or Cuervo’s presence.
A historical mention from 2012 records a performance by the Estudiantina de La Laja on July 11. The group was made up of young talents from the La Laja delegation. This musical thread complements the architectural and agricultural themes in the town’s history.
Discover more destinations: Etzatlán, Tomatlán, Ixtapa, Tapalpa, Tesistan, El Tuito, La Cruz De Loreto, San Juan Cosala.
Return to the main travel overview: Jalisco.
