Paseo de Montejo Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico The Palacio Cantón was built 1904-1911 for General Francisco Cantón Rosado, Governor of Yucatan State from 1898 to 1902, and his family. The project was led by the Italian architect Enrico Deserti who also built the nearby Teatro Peón Contreras. Some of the construction materials were imported from France, Italy and Germany. It is certainly the most conspicuous of Paseo de Montejo historic building, the artery of the city of Mérida that housed the richest residences of prerevolutionary Yucatán. It became property of that state in 1932 and served as school, residence of the Governor, and then museum of Mayan archaeology Late in the 19th century and the early 20th Century, the area surrounding Mérida prospered from the production of henequén. For a brief period, around the turn of the 20th century, Mérida was said to house more millionaires than any other city in the world. The result of this concentration of wealth can still be seen today. Many large and elaborate homes still line the main avenue called Paseo de Montejo, though few are occupied today by individual families. Mexico 2015 789