Marker commemorates the Mexican Village
'Rejoice that you are and will forever be a part of history'
By REGISTER STAFF
PHOTOS
An Oct. 20 dedication ceremony for an historic marker recognizing Dodge City’s Mexican Village took on the air of a fiesta and a reunion for former village residents and their descendants. The marker was a project of Shane Scott, a Boy Scout with Troop 162 and a member of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe parish.
The Mexican Village was a community of railroad workers and their families located in Dodge City rail yard from the early 1900s until 1955. It was a city within a city and had a grocery store, pool hall, dance hall, school and church. For more than five decades, several generations called the Village home. At its peak the community’s population reached over 300
Tim Wenzl, archivist for the Diocese of Dodge City and assistant scoutmaster, served as one of the emcees for the event.
“Today, we come together to celebrate a place in time. We come to celebrate a place that was home to hundreds of people during its 50-year existence. We come to celebrate the families from Mexico who came to better their lives working for the Santa Fe Railroad. We come to celebrate a people of strong faith; the parishioners of the Our Lady of Guadalupe village church. We come together today, to celebrate an historic community: the Mexican Village.”
Father Ted Skalsky began the day with a prayer. Scouts from Troop 162 and members of the local veterans groups joined in presenting the colors. The Torrez sisters sang the National Anthem. Los Reyes, a Wichita Mariachi band, entertained the gathering with music between speakers.
Louis Sanchez served as another emcee. He was born in the Village and later in his life was elected the the City Commission. He was mayor of Dodge City in 1984 and 1985. He is considered an historian on the Mexican Village.
Sanchez recounted how the Santa Fe Railroad went to Mexico to recruit workers and what an important part the railroad played during the Second World War. He told about the railroad workers and those who serviced the engines in the roundhouse. He spoke about how supplies were shipped to the coasts. “Without the railroad,” stated Sanchez, “we would all be speaking German or Japanese.
Fred Rodriguez, a former village resident and coordinator of the dedication, spoke of those Village residents and descendants who served the country and lost their lives. Robert and Rudy Esquibel died in World War II; Frankie Sanchez, Jr., died in Vietnam. Rodriguez spoke about the sense of duty these men had and how the Hispanic community still mourns their loss.
Other speakers included Richard Rodriguez, owner of the El Charro restaurant, and Arturo Amaro, an 8th grade teacher at Dodge City Middle School. Both spoke of hearing stories from their families about the village and the pride they had in their families.
Amaro’s words brought the past and present together. “We must never forget that we try everyday to better ourselves. Why should it be different for anyone else who desires this also? We as Hispanics have come to a new country to better our lives. It is evident that we are a hard working people. The Village is a perfect example.
“A part of history almost forgotten is now being brought into recognition.... This recognition brings to light that Hispanics did have a big part in helping Dodge City….
“On the brink of immigration reform that may or may not effect some residents of Dodge City, we all must have a look back into history to see that the United States of America when in need opened it doors to immigrants for various reasons: wars, job, and political reasons. The job reason brought many Hispanics to do jobs that were not desired to be done by all people. The people desire to work and worked hard. They seek a better life. Such as did the first Pilgrims when landing on Plymouth Rock.
“Are we better off than we were in the time of the Village? Yes and no. We must constantly do the best we can to be educated, get involved, and be a voice for Dodge City. Never ever stop learning; strive for the best.
“I am here today to honor those who have been willing to help and not be negative of situations in our community. Shane Scott is a perfect example of the flexibility we all must show to the diversity we have in our community.
“To the citizens of the Village, rejoice today and be proud that you are and will forever be a part of history.”
PHOTOS
An Oct. 20 dedication ceremony for an historic marker recognizing Dodge City’s Mexican Village took on the air of a fiesta and a reunion for former village residents and their descendants. The marker was a project of Shane Scott, a Boy Scout with Troop 162 and a member of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe parish.
The Mexican Village was a community of railroad workers and their families located in Dodge City rail yard from the early 1900s until 1955. It was a city within a city and had a grocery store, pool hall, dance hall, school and church. For more than five decades, several generations called the Village home. At its peak the community’s population reached over 300
Tim Wenzl, archivist for the Diocese of Dodge City and assistant scoutmaster, served as one of the emcees for the event.
“Today, we come together to celebrate a place in time. We come to celebrate a place that was home to hundreds of people during its 50-year existence. We come to celebrate the families from Mexico who came to better their lives working for the Santa Fe Railroad. We come to celebrate a people of strong faith; the parishioners of the Our Lady of Guadalupe village church. We come together today, to celebrate an historic community: the Mexican Village.”
Father Ted Skalsky began the day with a prayer. Scouts from Troop 162 and members of the local veterans groups joined in presenting the colors. The Torrez sisters sang the National Anthem. Los Reyes, a Wichita Mariachi band, entertained the gathering with music between speakers.
Louis Sanchez served as another emcee. He was born in the Village and later in his life was elected the the City Commission. He was mayor of Dodge City in 1984 and 1985. He is considered an historian on the Mexican Village.
Sanchez recounted how the Santa Fe Railroad went to Mexico to recruit workers and what an important part the railroad played during the Second World War. He told about the railroad workers and those who serviced the engines in the roundhouse. He spoke about how supplies were shipped to the coasts. “Without the railroad,” stated Sanchez, “we would all be speaking German or Japanese.
Fred Rodriguez, a former village resident and coordinator of the dedication, spoke of those Village residents and descendants who served the country and lost their lives. Robert and Rudy Esquibel died in World War II; Frankie Sanchez, Jr., died in Vietnam. Rodriguez spoke about the sense of duty these men had and how the Hispanic community still mourns their loss.
Other speakers included Richard Rodriguez, owner of the El Charro restaurant, and Arturo Amaro, an 8th grade teacher at Dodge City Middle School. Both spoke of hearing stories from their families about the village and the pride they had in their families.
Amaro’s words brought the past and present together. “We must never forget that we try everyday to better ourselves. Why should it be different for anyone else who desires this also? We as Hispanics have come to a new country to better our lives. It is evident that we are a hard working people. The Village is a perfect example.
“A part of history almost forgotten is now being brought into recognition.... This recognition brings to light that Hispanics did have a big part in helping Dodge City….
“On the brink of immigration reform that may or may not effect some residents of Dodge City, we all must have a look back into history to see that the United States of America when in need opened it doors to immigrants for various reasons: wars, job, and political reasons. The job reason brought many Hispanics to do jobs that were not desired to be done by all people. The people desire to work and worked hard. They seek a better life. Such as did the first Pilgrims when landing on Plymouth Rock.
“Are we better off than we were in the time of the Village? Yes and no. We must constantly do the best we can to be educated, get involved, and be a voice for Dodge City. Never ever stop learning; strive for the best.
“I am here today to honor those who have been willing to help and not be negative of situations in our community. Shane Scott is a perfect example of the flexibility we all must show to the diversity we have in our community.
“To the citizens of the Village, rejoice today and be proud that you are and will forever be a part of history.”