Oficina Santa Laura

Oficina Santa Laura was another one of the many salitre mines on the wind-blasted pampas near Iquique. Founded in 1872 by William Wendell, it was acquired by the Peruvian government in 1878. After Chile’s victory in the Guerra del Pacífico, the mine was turned over to the London Nitrate Co., Ltd. By 1921 Santa Laura was producing 3500 tons of nitrate per month and four tons of iodine. It continued to operate until 1960. All that remains today is the Rancho de Empleados, with a museum displaying miscellaneous items found in the camp. In a shed is a well preserved Shanks plant with signs explaining the refinement process.

Location:
Ruta A-16
Iquique, Chile

Historical Building Types:
Nitrate mine

Getting There
Oficina Santa Laura is about 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) west of Humberstone, on Ruta A-40. It is about a 25-minute walk between the two. From Iquique, public transportation goes to Oficina Santa Laura and Humberstone: Santa Angela ($3.80) or any bus or colec

Travel Tips: Oficina Santa Laura was declared a Monumento Nacional in 1971 and a UNESCO World Heritage of Humanity Site in 2005.

Price Description: Ticket for Humberstone (adults $2, children to 12 years old $1) includes Oficina Santa Laura, though donations are appreciated.

Relative price: Budget

Open Hours from:Daily 8 a.m.

Open Hours to:Daily 6 p.m.

Travel Skills: None

You Need to Bring: The air is dry here, so be sure to bring plenty of water. Protect yourself from the sun as well; use a hat, long sleeves, sun screen and sun glasses.

Swim, sunbathe or surf at Cavancha and the other beaches in Iquique. Stroll down Paseo Bolognesi, visiting the historic houses and museums. Head out to the arid pampas to visit the old nitrate mining oficina Humberstone, or to check out Gigante de Atacama and the other geoglyphs decorating the desert hills. Visit historic Pisagua. Soak in the hot springs at Pica or Mamiña.

Currencies accepted
Chilean Peso

By Lorraine Caputo

Upon re-declaring her independence at age 29, Lorraine Caputo packed her trusty Rocinante (so her knapsack's called) and began traipsing throughout...

Created: 29 Jun 2009

Updated: 06 Jul 2009

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