Description
This photograph shows Latino railroad workers employed by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad in Fort Madison, Iowa, in the 1920s. The first Mexican people to settle in Iowa worked as traqueros (railroad track workers) who repaired and laid tracks on railroad section gangs, in foundries and factories, and as betabeleros (sugar beet workers). Many families followed a process of step migration, working first in Texas farm fields, Oklahoma coal mines or Kansas railroad yards before making their way into Iowa. Some came directly to Iowa, recruited by agricultural employers and the Santa Fe and Rock Island railroad companies. As employment opportunities and living arrangements became more secure, they returned to Mexico to bring additional family members to join them. They followed the same process of chain migration pursued by generations of immigrants the world over.
Source-Dependent Questions
- Look closely at the photo. Describe what you see. What job do you think these people had? What makes you say that?
- This photograph shows Latino railroad workers employed by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad in Fort Madison, Iowa, in the 1920s. Many families followed a process of step migration, working first in Texas farm fields, Oklahoma coal mines or Kansas railroad yards before making their way into Iowa. Discuss why this would be referred to as step migration? And how would that impact their livelihood?
- The first Mexican people to settle in Iowa worked as traqueros (railroad track workers) who repaired and laid tracks on railroad section gangs, in foundries and factories, and as betabeleros (sugar beet workers). These are considered pull factors for immigration. What about these opportunities would pull people to work in other countries?
- As employment opportunities and living arrangements became more secure, they returned to Mexico to bring additional family members to join them. This is considered chain migration. Discuss chain migration and why generations of immigrants from all over the world would follow the same process.
Citation Information
“Railroad workers employed by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad in Fort Madison, Iowa, 1920s,” Iowa Women's Archives, University of Iowa Libraries, ca. 1920. Courtesy of Iowa Women’s Archives