Latino History of Wichita Kansas

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English/Spanish. The two indigenous columns and beautifully decorated wall makes the library appear ancient. This blossoming architectural gesture has become one of the visiting destinations for tourists visiting Wichita impressed with its beauty. The building has a stone foundation and has been repainted in order to adhere to the Mexican indigenous theme. The Evergreen Branch library opened in the former Wichita Arts Center building on November 16, 2002. It is the second Wichita Public Library to hold the name; the original Evergreen branch was located in the community service center at Evergreen Park from 1973-1981. This library is the second largest branch library in Wichita and the only branch with multiple rental spaces. Across the road from the library lies several Latino businesses, and to the west of the library. The central entrance leads to the main building with several rooms constantly reserved for students and community members. Not only is this library located in the community, it also serves the Latino community by working with community members in order to provide access and support. Spanish Translation/Traducción en Español Las dos columnas indígenas y paredes bellamente decoradas causa que la biblioteca se vea antigua. Este gesto arquitectónico se ha convertido en una de las destinaciones de visitas turísticas para todo aquel que visita a Wichita impresionados con su belleza. El edificio tiene unos cimientos de piedra los cuales han sido repintados para adherirse al tema indígena mexicano. La biblioteca de Evergreen se abrió en lo que era el Centro de Arte de Wichita el 16 de noviembre del 2002. Es la segunda biblioteca pública de Wichita en tener ese nombre; la biblioteca Evergreen original estaba localizada en el centro de servicio comunitario del Parque Evergreen desde el 1971 hasta el 1981. Esta biblioteca es la segunda sucursal de las bibliotecas públicas de Wichita y la única con varios espacios de rentar. Al cruzar la calle de la biblioteca y también en dirección oeste se encuentran varios negocios latinos. La entrada principal conlleva al edificio primario con varios cuartos constantemente reservados para estudiantes y otros miembros de la comunidad. La biblioteca no está solamente ubicada en la comunidad, sino que también está para servirle a la comunidad latina a través de su trabajo con los miembros de la comunidad para ofrecer acceso y apoyo.

2. Latino Murals of Wichita

English/Spanish. “Immigration is Beautiful” Mural This mural depicts the struggle and perseverance of Latino immigrants in the United States by showing refugees holding on the fence of the border while other Mexican Americans are facing the Statue of Liberty. Artist and community organizer Armando Minjarez along with the Latino leading students of South High School spearheaded the mural project. The intersection is close to the Athletic Park and although cars pass by it, it still can be quite an opportunity to walk around the intersection and imagine how it must have looked like almost hundred years ago. Spanish Translation/Traducción en Español Este mural representa la lucha y perseverancia de inmigrantes Latinos en los Estados Unidos enseñado a algunos refugiados sosteniéndose de la frontera, mientras otros mexico-americanos miran hacia la Estatua de la Libertad. Armando Minjarez, un artista y organizador comunitario, con los estudiantes líderes de South High School llevaron a cabo este proyecto muralista. La intersección donde se encuentra está cerca del Parque Atlético y aunque le pasan muchos vehículos por el lado, todavía puede ser una oportunidad de caminar alrededor de la intersección e imaginar cómo se habrá visto hace cien años atrás. Mural: “En la diversidad hay belleza y hay fuerza/Hermanos y hermanas de otras razas de color pero con el mismo corazón” “In Diversity there is Beauty and there is Strength/Hermanos y hermanas de otras razas de color pero con el mismo corazón” Mural This mural was a project spearheaded by the middle school students at Marshall Middle School. This colorful piece of art enlightens the neighborhood for anyone passing it, giving a sense of urban style of communication. Este mural fue un proyecto llevado acabo por los estudiantes de Marshall Middle School. Esta pieza de arte colorida ilumina el vecindario para todo aquel que pasa por al lado de él, dándole un sentido de estilo comunicación urbana. Día de los Muertos Mural This vibrant mural is a reflection of the connections Mexican Americans have to their origins. From October 31st to November 2nd, community members in Wichita celebrate Día de los Muertos with parties, runways and other events. Even though this time frame coincides with the catholic holiday called All Soul’s & All Saints Day, many Mexicans combine this with their indigenous beliefs of honoring their deceased loved ones. They believe that the gates of heaven are opened at midnight on October 31, and the spirits of all deceased children (angelitos) are allowed to reunite with their families for 24 hours. On November 2, the spirits of the adults come down to enjoy the festivities that are prepared for them. Spanish Translation/Traducción en Español Este vibrante mural es una reflección de las conexiones que los mexico-americanos tienen con sus raíces. Desde el 31 de octubre hasta el 2 de noviembre los miembros comunitarios de Wichita celebran el Día de los Muertos con fiestas, desfiles y otros eventos. Aunque estos días coinciden con un día de fiesta católico llamado Día de los Santos, muchos mexicanos combinan este día con sus creencias indígenas de rendir honor a sus seres queridos que han muerto. Ellos creen que los portones del cielo se abren en la medianoche del 31 de octubre y que los espíritus de todos los niños que han muerto (angelitos) están permitidos en reunirse con sus familias por 24 horas. El 2 de noviembre los espíritus de los adultos bajan a disfrutar las fiestas que les han preparado.

3. Nomar International Market

English/Spanish. The Nomar International Market is the glue that holds Wichita together. The beautiful Mexican style architecture alone is a reason to visit Wichita. Indeed, the City of Wichita launched a revitalization project in 2005 that included branding professionals, architects, urban planners, historic preservationists and engineers. NoMar is the abbreviation for the North Market area–No-Mar. Prior to NoMar, the 1928 Spanish revival of the NoMar Theater served as the area’s major landmark. NoMar International Market offers goods, food, music, festivals, farmers markets and community events. A major entry gateway boldly frames the NoMar name and icon while the area architecture, streetscapes, landscapes, and color palette create a cohesive district known for its strong sense of place, walkable neighborhoods, and cultural experiences.

4. Connies Mexico Cafe

English/Spanish. Connie’s Mexico Café is Wichita’s oldest family-run Mexican restaurant. In 1963, Concepción and Rafael López opened Connie’s Cafe. They were both born in Mexico, Rafael in the state of Nuevo León and Concepción in Jalisco. They grew up during a tumultuous period of in Mexican Mexican history. North of the border, the U.S. economy was booming and labor was in demand. Some U.S. industries, particularly railroads needed employees and actively recruited Mexican immigrants. Well over half settled in the state’s urban areas, including Wichita, where they worked for either the railroads or the meat packing industry.

5. Santa Fe Railroads

English/Spanish. The Santa Fe Rail Yards resulted in a number of barrios emerging on the city’s north side. In time, numbers of Mexican workers left the railroads for better jobs in nearby meat-packing plants. At least 75% of first generation Mexican male immigrants worked for the railroads. The Mexican population was located adjacent to the railroad tracks in the 400-9-- blocks of South Commerce and Santa Fe street. In order for the railroads to meet the demand of laying track in the late 1800s and early 1900s, they began exclusively hiring Mexican immigrant labor. The 1910 U.S. census documents Mexican laborers living in boxcars along the railroads and in camps along the tracks because of segregation and discrimination.

6. Delicias de la Doña

Delicias de la Doña food truck in Wichita, is emblematic of the several food trucks that exist all across the United states. The idea of food trucks is a common staple and form of currency in Latino neighborhoods. The tradition of Mexican immigrants selling their hometown dishes out of something perched on four wheels goes back way further than most people think. Historically before the rise of food trucks, the staple of Mexican cuisine, the tamale, was responsible for increasing fascination with using tortillas as a culinary vessel. From the 1870’s until the 1940’s, the tamale was the street delicacy of choice, whether you were in New York or Chicago, San Francisco or LA.

7. East North Side

This thriving Latino neighborhood continues to recreate traditional colorful homes and food gardens reminiscent of Latin American orchards. The Peace and Social Justice Center of South Central Kansas is located in that neighborhood along with the Seed House, a community organization dedicated to the empowerment and support of Latino Communities. This community is a reflection of various Latino neighborhoods in Kansas trying to build a community for themselves despite their hardships. Redecorating your home with Mexican styles and planting vegetables from your home country may not seem like much but means a lot to the community and the younger generations who live there. The cooperation and solidarity amongst members of this community is a great example of the day-to-day community bridging that should take place in other communities.

This Tour is a Thematic Tour or Heritage Trail.

Latino History of Wichita Kansas

Created by Humanities Kansas on August 10th 2018, 9:35:41 am.

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More than a century ago, thousands of Mexican immigrants when to Wichita to find work and seek better lives. There is something special about visiting Wichita. This tour is dedicated to the memory of the courageous Latino immigrants who left their homeland in the early years of the 20th century to settle to Wichita, Kansas. Their momentous journeys made it possible for a thriving Latino neighborhood to exist today. In spite of poverty, severe ethnic and racial discrimination, Latinos persevered. For that, they deserve to be remembered and this tour is dedicated to them in the hope that it will serve as a permanent record of the neighborhood they loved and eventually called home.

Entries on This Tour

Latino History of Wichita Kansas

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