Priest residences in Benque Viejo, 1914
Businesses in old Benque Viejo del Carmen in olden days
by Hector Silva
Two Silva Brothers, Benigno Silva Mendoza and his younger brother, Casiano Silva Mendoza, ( my Grand Father,) migrated from Mexico in 1910 and settled in Benque Viejo del Carmen. In those days both the Chicle, Mahogany and Trade with the Peten Department, were in full swing.
Later around 1920, my parents transferred to Duck Run, where they engaged in the Cattle Industry, ( Beef and Dairy products.) There was great demand for beef, especially in the mahogany works, as far as Gallon Jug and the Vaca Falls and Mountain Cow areas.
Later on my Dad bought a portion of Duck Run from his compadre, Don Emilio Awe and named it Carmelita. He established a real dairy industry, producing Cheese, Butter and later supplying Belize City with Cows Milk, daily, by young TACA mono planes. ( 1938. ) - He also produced Coffee in grain for the KATTAN COFFEE PACKERS on Queen Street in Belize City.
My Pa went into Cattle Farming and built one of Beliz's Leading Cattle Farms producing Milk. Cheese and Butter.- He also produced Cofffee in large quantities to supply Kattan's Coffee Industry. My Dad supplied Milk to Belize City by TACA first Mono Air Plane in the early 1940's.
My Dad supplied the Mennonites with the first truck load of Cattle in 1958 - 59. - My Dad first agent for Milk Distribution in Belize City was, Mr Maurice Lindo in the 1940's.- He was Mr Dean Lindo's Dad. - Then when Mr Maurice passed away, the Hon. Fred Hunter took over.- But by then, the MIlk was Transported by Land Rover. - Then his agent, for Cheese in blocks of 20 pounds, was Mr. John Mendez of Belize City. - - - My Dad delivered Coffee in sacks of 100 pounds by River Boat to Mr Kattan, of Queen Street.. Barry Bowen never born yet. -- - SO, Mr Spooner and Belizeans in general , YOU CAN SEE THAT I WAS NOT BORN A POLITICIAN. Nor, did I have to enter Poltics to survive. - I entered Politics, at the request of my friend, George Cadle Price to struggle for the Sovereignty of Belize. I was just 23 years old, when I was elected as first mayor of San Ignacio, 1957. His Sisters are still alive and can tell you. - Price and Silva family were close friends.
Early in the 1900s, Benque Viejo del Carmen was the HUB of may businesses who traded with the department of Peten.