The new priest decided that the church needed a concrete floor. The concrete was poured on top of the original floor, and the treasure remains hidden to this day. This is an obligatory stop for traditional French-style and Mexican baked goods. Close by are the Morelos Gardens, a park and open-air museum featuring machinery from the old mines, including original locomotives from 1886. History, high and low Another point of interest, up on the ridge beyond the ferry terminal, are the cemeteries.
Salt air blows across ornate tombstones, with names in French, German and Spanish.
With a little imagination, they tell of Santa Rosalia's rich heritage. For a more tangible review of history, visit the elegant Hotel Frances, situated at the edge of the north plateau overlooking the brick towers, iron framework and wooden buildings of the deserted ore smelter. This stately two-story building with graceful, wide verandas and tall, wooden casement windows is constructed entirely of Honduran mahogany. The carved exterior balustrade leading down the double staircase from the second-story veranda would be elegant in any hotel. The Hotel Frances is about 120 years old and recently underwent extensive restoration.