Hecho en Fort Madison
HECHO EN FORT MADISON - “Made in Fort Madison” Fort Madison is the oldest Mexican Community in Iowa. Traqueros (track workers) were Mexican and Mexican American laborers who were instrumental in the building and expansion of the railroad throughout the US from the late 1800s to the mid-20th century. Between 1880 and 1930, Mexican track workers constituted almost two-thirds of the track labor forces across the US. The Mexican Revolution of 1910 led to a mass migration forcing families north to escape the violence and economic instability. The newcomers settled into boxcars, naming the areas El Cometa, La Yarda and La Istafiate. Fort Madison continues to be the home of many of the original families that settled there.
IOWA’S FIRST LULAC COUNCIL The National League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) was founded in February 1929 to advocate for the civil rights of Latinos in the United States. Mexican Americans in Fort Madison organized Iowa’s first LULAC council, chartered as LULAC Council 304, in February 1957. For many years, the Latin American Club has been the social hub for the community, hosting formal dances and charitable events, as well as making countless family memories over more than four generations.
FORT MADISON MEXICAN FIESTA Located on the block of 34th and Avenue Q in Fort Madison, the annual Mexican Fiesta is held where many Mexican natives settled. After years of working for the railroad, losing everything they had to fires and flooding, the families were forced to move out of the boxcars. Avenue Q and the surrounding area was settled and remains “the Village” to this day. Families of the original descendants have continued to celebrate Mexico's independence from Spain every year since 1921. The fiesta is one way of celebrating Mexico's independence and our continued commitment to celebrating the important cultural heritage that remains part of the village to this day. Every year, the committee works to bring food vendors offering authentic Mexican food, music and entertainment with traditional dancing from La Fiesta Dance Troupe, live music, a carnival and adult beverages to honor the century-long tradition.
