Mexico

San Miguel de Horcasitas

In the early 1800s, Sonora, Mexico, was a place of big skies, tough terrain, and hardworking people. Life wasn’t easy—this was frontier country, where people lived off the land, raising crops and cattle while keeping a watchful eye out for trouble. Families worked together to carve out a living, often relying on their faith and each other to get through the challenges of life. It was a land of opportunity for some, but also a place where survival wasn’t guaranteed. The nearby mountains and deserts made it stunningly beautiful, but they could also be harsh and unforgiving.

San Miguel de Horcasitas was one of the small towns that dotted the region, a little outpost of life and community in the middle of this rugged landscape. It started as a military post to protect settlers, but by the early 1800s, it was home to families who’d put down roots. The church was the center of everything—weddings, baptisms, Sunday services, and celebrations were all reasons for folks to come together. Everyone knew their neighbors, and they probably knew their neighbors’ business, too. Life here wasn’t fancy, but it had its own rhythm, shaped by the seasons, the land, and the shared struggles of living on the edge of the known world. For the people who lived there, it was home