Francisco Cano

Francisco Cano (c. 1568) was a Spanish conquistador and explorer who travelled the north of Mexico to find gold and other precious metals in the 16th century. He served as Lieutenant Major of the Mazapil mines in the 1560s and discovered a lake in Mexico which led to further colonization of the area. He is considered important to the colonization of what is today New Mexico because of his opening up of supply lines in Zacatecas. His work in the mines was a major asset in the expanding metal trade that played a large role in the expansion of the Spanish economy throughout the world.

Early life

Cano most grew up in Spain, where men of all ages were being recruited to go on voyages to the New World to explore and conquer more territory for the Empire. He was of common descent and not from an important familial line but still had opportunities open up due to the need for manpower in the new Spanish colonies in the Americas.

Lieutenant Major

He became a Lieutenant Major in the Spanish Army in New Spain, and presided over the golds mines in Mazapil. One of his main objectives was to find precious metal deposits in the northern areas of New Spain.