Inheritance (Ciudad Real), the photograph of a late 19th-century alcohol and oil factory has become a visual testimony of the industrial and agricultural tradition of Castilla-La Mancha. Captured in 1890, the image is part of the photographic archive of the Center for Castilla-La Mancha Studies (CECLM) at the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), and is available in their digital collection on Flickr.
The factory and its protagonists
The image shows the old alcohol and oil factory of “Montes y García”, which currently houses the winery “Los Cuberos”. This place was a key point for the production and distribution of essential products such as oil and wine in the region.
Among the most striking details of the photograph is the transport of these products, which was done in “pellejos” (animal skins). These carefully treated animal skins were used to store and transport oil and wine, a traditional method that exemplifies the connection between craftsmanship and agricultural production of the time.
In the image, Antonio Calvillo also appears, who worked as a “botero” or pellejero. To the right of the photograph, he is seen next to the cart he used for transporting these products, highlighting the importance of his profession in the distribution chain.
The value of the CECLM-UCLM photographic archive
The photograph is part of the historical collection that the Center for Castilla-La Mancha Studies preserves and makes available to the public through its digital photo library. This platform, accessible from their Flickr account, offers a unique window to the past, allowing users to explore images that document the life and traditions of Castilla-La Mancha from different epochs.
The archive not only preserves the visual heritage of the region but also contributes to the research and dissemination of local history. This work has allowed to rescue the memory of emblematic places like the Montes y García factory, connecting current generations with their cultural legacy.
A testimony of tradition and progress
The alcohol and oil factory of “Montes y García” is an example of the economic and social development of Inheritance in the 19th century. Through images like this one, one can appreciate the effort of the workers and the importance of the agricultural and industrial activities that shaped the identity of the region.
The Center for Castilla-La Mancha Studies invites those who wish to explore more about the visual history of the region to visit their online photo library, where gems like this photograph can be discovered. This project, more than an archive, is a bridge between the past and the present, reinforcing the connection of Castilla-La Mancha with its rich cultural heritage.
Link to the collection: Photo library of CECLM-UCLM.
Article published in: The history of the alcohol and oil factory of Montes y García: a glance at the industrial past of Inheritance
Spanish post in La historia de la fábrica de alcoholes y aceites de Montes y García: un vistazo al pasado industrial de Herencia
