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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. 

Evergreen Library 

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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.

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. 

Latino Murals of Wichita 

<div>Spanish Translation/Traducción en Español</div><div><br></div><div>El Mercado Internacional de Nomar es lo que une a la ciudad de Wichita. La bella arquitectura mexicana es razón suficiente para visitar a Wichita. En efecto, la ciudad de Wichita lanzó un proyecto de revitalización en el 2005 lo cual incluyó el poscicionamiento de profesionales, arquitectos, planificadores urbanos, preservacionistas históricos e ingenieros. NoMar es la abreviación del Área Norte del Mercado (o en inglés North Market Area-No MAr). Antes de NoMar, la revitalización española del 1928 del Teatro NoMar servía como el punto de referencia del área. El Mercado Internacional de NoMar ofrece bienes, comida, música, festivales, mercados de agricultores y eventos comunitarios. Una gran entrada marca el nombre NoMar como icono mientras la arquitectura del área, las calles, los paisajes y el color crean un distrito conocido por su fuerte sentido de lugar, vecindarios caminables y experiencias culturales.&nbsp;</div>

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. 



Nomar International Market 

<p>	Nearly sixty years earlier, Mexico had gone through two economic depressions, and the Mexican Revolution began, which caused Mexican immigrants to immigrate to America. Between 1900 to 1930 "marked the largest influx of Mexican immigrants to the state"[1]. During that time, Rafael and Concepción’s families had settled in Texas.</p><p>Concepción and Rafael López were an exception to this rule, coming to Kansas for different reasons. They met and married in Texas, where their only child was born [2]. Rafael enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943 and served during World War II. After the war, the López’s visited Wichita for the first time and fell in love with the city. Concepción found work as a domestic and enjoyed cooking at fundraisers. Afterward, the seed to open a restaurant was planted in Rafael’s head; learning of a restaurant for sale in the early 1960s, he bought it for Concepción. The building was located on the city’s north side in an industrial area close to the meat packing facilities replete with hungry laborers. In 1963, the López’s opened a restaurant named it Connie’s to attract an American clientele. The food, though, was always Mexican. </p><p>	</p><p>	The Café today is one of the oldest family-run businesses in Wichita. However, it was a miracle that they were able to open a Mexican café in Wichita, Kansas. During the 1960s and 1970s, the Chicano movement was taking place. Mexican Americans were taking a stand and advocating for their rights [3]. They were tired of the mistreatment and discrimination they faced regularly. Mexican immigrants who had settled in Wichita were also subject to discrimination. There was a high concentration of Hispanics in Wichita due to the high demand in the railroad, meat packing, and agriculture industries. However, their life was not easy in Kansas.  </p><p>	</p><p>	Hispanics living in Wichita, Kansas, were often outcasted from society and exploited for their work. Wichita had two major meat packing plants, one being Cudahy, located in the north end of Wichita (figure 5). The meat packing plant initially opened in 1901 and immediately hired Mexican laborers [4]. Over time, the Mexican community grew, and most lived in the North End of Wichita. On the North side of Wichita, Mexicans built their own community, called barrios, and even converted rail cars into boxcar homes.[5] They tried their best to fit in by assimilating into American culture. The children and youth were often teased for speaking Spanish, so they only spoke it within their community.[6] They played American music and sports, and some even joined the military to be part of America's cultural traditions. However, since there was little mixing between the Hispanics and white Americans, they continued their American cultural traditions within their own community. In their barrios, they established their first Catholic church, Mexican festivals, and restaurants.</p><p></p><p>	The restaurant Rafael bought to open Connie’s Café happened to be near the Cudahy meat packing plant. Concepción and Rafael’s vision was to open the restaurant and cater to the hungry Mexican laborers from the meat packing plant next door. However, in hopes of bringing in American customers, Concepción named the restaurant Connie’s Café. She continued to make traditional Mexican food but also created an American menu that included cheeseburgers, grilled cheese, and chicken nuggets [7]. The couple’s restaurant was a success and helped expose Mexican food culture to the Americans in the community. Connie’s Café tells the story of the Mexican community in the North End and how the relationship between Americans and Mexicans has changed over time. </p><p></p><p>Connie and Rafael López frequently visited Mexico and purchased objects evocative of their homeland. Rafael passed away in 1994, and Concepción died in 2006, but their descendants continue to operate Connie’s Mexico Cafe in Wichita. Today, the Café is still open and run by Carmen with her daughters and granddaughters [8].</p><p></p><p></p><p>Spanish Translation/Traducción en Español</p><p></p><p>Connies México Café es el restaurante mexicano más antiguo de Wichita dirigido por una familia. En el 1963, Concepción y Rafael López abrieron Connie’s Cafe. Los dos nacieron en México, Rafael en el estado de Nuevo León y Concepción en Jalisco. Los dos se criaron en un período tumultuoso en la historia de México. Al norte de la frontera en México, la economía estaba en su apogeo y había demanda de labradores. Algunas industrias estadounidenses, particularmente, las industrias de ferrocarriles necesitaban empleados y activamente reclutaban inmigrantes mexicanos. Más de la mitad se asentaron en las áreas urbanas del estado incluyendo Wichita, en donde trabajaron para las industrias de ferrocarriles o industrias de carnicería. Concepción y Rafael López fueron una excepción, dado a que se mudaron a Kansas por razones distintas. Se conocieron y se casaron en Tejas, donde nació su hijo único. Rafael se enlistó al ejército estadounidense en el 1943 y participó en la segunda guerra mundial. Después de la guerra, la familia López visitó la ciudad de Wichita por primera vez y se enamoraron de la ciudad. Concepción consiguió trabajo como una trabajadora doméstica y disfrutaba cocinar en recaudaciones de fondos. Después, la semilla de abrir un restaurante se sembró en la mente de Rafael. Se enteró de un restaurante a la venta al principio de la década de 1960 y se lo compró a Concepción. El edificio estaba localizado al norte de la ciudad en una área industrial cerca de las carnicerías repletas de trabajadores hambrientos. En el 1963, la familia López abrió el restaurante llamándolo Connie’s para atraer una clientela americana. Sin embargo, la comida siempre fue mexicana. </p><p></p><p>Connie y Rafael visitaban a México con frecuencia y compraban varios objetos evocativos de su patria. Rafael falleció en el 1994 y Concepción falleció en el 2006, pero sus descendientes continúan manejando Connie’s Mexico Cafe en Wichita. </p>

<p>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.</p>

Connies Mexico Cafe

<div>The Mexican Revolution of 1910 and World War I brought more immigrants to work in Wichita’s industrial and agricultural-related business. After the end of the Great Depression and the onset of World War II, a formal arrangement called the Bracero Program, (in which more than four million Mexican farm workers came to work in North American farm fields) was negotiated between the United States and the Mexican Governments and lasted for 22 years from 1942 to 1964. During this period the Wichita Mexican population shifted from the south of Douglas Avenue to neighborhoods in north Wichita closer to the Cudahy Packing Plant.</div><div><br></div><div>Spanish Translation/Traducción en Español</div><div>Los Patios de los Ferrocarriles de Santa Fe resultaron en un sinnúmero de barrios que emergieron en el norte de la ciudad. Con tiempo, muchos trabajadores mexicanos dejaron su empleo con los ferrocarriles por mejores trabajos en las industrias de carnicerías. Por lo menos el 75% de los inmigrantes mexicanos de primera generación trabajaron para los ferrocarriles. La población mexicana estaba ubicada al lado de los ferrocarriles en las cuadras 400-9-- de las calles South Commerce y Santa Fe. Para que los ferrocarriles cumplieran con la demanda de poner las vías en los últimos años del siglo diecinueve y al principio del veinte, comenzaron a contratar exclusivamente a trabajadores migrantes mexicanos. El censo estadounidense del 1910 documenta que había trabajadores mexicanos viviendo en vagones de tren y en campamentos&nbsp; a lo largo de los ferrocarriles por causa de la segregación y la discriminación.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>La revolución mexicana de 1910 y la primera guerra mundial trajo a muchos inmigrantes para trabajar en los negocios industriales y agricultores de Wichita. Después del final de la gran depresión económica y el principio de la segunda guerra mundial, un arreglo formal llamado el Programa Bracero (por el cual más de cuatro millones de agricultores mexicanos llegaron a trabajar en ranchos estadounidenses) fue negociado entre el gobierno americano y mexicano y duró 22 años, desde el 1942 hasta el 1964. Durante este periodo la población mexicana de Wichita se movió desde el sur de la avenida Douglas hasta los vecindarios al norte de Wichita cerca de la Planta de Empaque Cudahy.&nbsp;</div>

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. 



Santa Fe Railroads 

In Los Angeles, tamales were so famous, sellers used 8-foot wagons to seel tamales, goat stews, tacos and so forth. Today, the food truck business is a $1.2 billion industry in the United States and it is growing.&nbsp;

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. 



Delicias de la Doña

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. 

Latino History of Wichita Kansas

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