In the early 1940s, Alcantarilla’s main thoroughfare was lined with two-storey houses and wide pavements on both sides of the cobbled road, along which the means of transport of the time, known as “coche de línea” (liner car), used for journeys to Murcia, travelled. On the right, next to the parked lorry, was José Alemán’s petrol pump, installed on the pavement of Calle Mayor since 1924, next to Calle Cartagena.
In the foreground was the “El Canino” shoe shop and ironmongery, run by Francisco Guillamón Tormo. Next, we can see what is popularly known as “los altos de Pacún”, with a house elevated on a step in the Calle Mayor, on which stood an emblazoned house, built in the 18th century and owned by the del Castillo family. Among the members of this family were Fray Antonio José del Castillo, Knight of the Royal Order of St. John of Jerusalem and his brother D. Josef del Castillo Tovar, ordinary mayor of the town. From 1803, D. Josef held the patronage of the Chapel of Nuestra Señora de la Salud by concession of the Minim friars, a position inherited by his descendants. The house later passed to another owner, known as “Pacún”, which gave its name to this popular enclave, a place for children’s games and a meeting place for the young people of the town.
Next is the building of the Circulo Industrial or Casino. A two-storey building, with large windows known as “peceras” (fishbowls) on the ground floor, and its characteristic long balcony on the first floor. Founded as a place for the leisure and recreation of the locals, it was first located next to the Town Hall until, in the early years of the 20th century, it was moved to its current location, on the corner of Calle San Antonio. And the house and pharmacy of José María López Leal, known as the “Farmacia de las Escaleras” (Staircase Pharmacy), which was one of the oldest in Alcantarilla. The pharmacy was accessed by a double staircase with an iron railing, which occupied part of the pavement of the Calle Mayor.
In the background, presiding over the life of the town, the old church of San Pedro Apóstol and the clock tower of the Town Hall.
