Benjamin Hill, Sonora

Location  148 kms South of Nogales on Highway 15

Population 5,285 people

Climate: DRY and Hot. Benjamin Hill lies in the Sonoran Desert. Summer maximums of 31.6°C Winter minimums of 13.8°C. The average annual temperature is 22.5°C.

History

Prior to 1939, the area was called San Fernando Ranch when the Federal Government chose it as a junction for two rail lines; The Sonora Baja California and South Pacific Railways. It was incorporated as a municipality in 1952.

See below regarding the town's namesake.

Tourist Attractions

Benjamin Hill is a small pueblo easily missed when driving Highway 15. There are limited attractions or services for the tourist.

The colonial church was built in 1949 and the town plaza and kiosk in 1953 – both with Colonial styled architecture.

Industry

Benjamin Hill remains a small town with limited agricultural activity and animal husbandry with calf exportation to the US. There is a small industrial park.

There are preserved train cars in the town.

Getting There

From Nogales drive 148 kms south to KM 122

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Benjamin G. Hill

31 March 1874(1874-03-31) – 14 December 1920

Benjamin Hill was named after a revolutionary war hero and not as many believe, a bump in the desert landscape.

Born in March 1877 in Choix Sinaloa, North East of El Fuerte and educated in Chihuahua and then sent by his father to continue his studies in Germany and Italy. He returned to Mexico and became involved in agriculture and politics. He was elected to Navojoa city Council in 1908.

Hill joined the revolution in 1910 siding with Madero. He was then thrown in the Hermosillo prison until April 1911. When released he raised a volunteer army in Navojoa. He fought various campaigns including those against Pancho Villa. He became the Governor of Sonora in 1914 and later was appointed Divisional General.

When Obregon took the Presidency of the Country, he appointed Hill Secretary of War and the Navy. He died a few days later at a luncheon in Mexico City. It was rumored that Obregon was grooming him as a successor and that Hill’s main rival, Plutarco Calles, poisoned him.

The town was named in his honor.

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