El Tuito was founded in the 16th Century at about the same time as the mining towns and Talpa de Allende. However there are no mines or Virgins (at least the religious kind) in El Tuito.
What it does have is grazing land and water and it was on a major Spanish road that ran from Barra de Navidad to Guadalajara. The famous Manila ship that came once a year from the Philippines would unload some of its cargo at Barra before continuing on to Acapulco. El Tuito could supply fresh pack animals, food and water to the travelers.
The remains of an old Hacienda can be seen on the right of the road leading to town from Route 200. I've also heard that there are the ruins of the old sugar mill that existed here many years ago. If anyone finds it, please let me know.

El Tuito is a good place to get your Raicilla supplies. There is a store on the road into town, but what it sells as Raicilla I have grave doubts about. To get the good stuff La Punta just wander around the plaza and ask at some of the stores, they will direct you to the houses that have it for sale, last price I paid was 150 pessos for a liter.