Frank Barrios Interview: Mexicans in Phoenix Interviewed by Dr. Pete Dimas.
Camera work by Lourdes Lee Vasquez and Rick Dimas. Editing by Rick Dimas.
In this three part interview author, Frank Barrios, known for his love of history throughout the Phoenix community, gives his account of this largely unknown but important history of the Phoenix area. He includes over a century of historical photographs documenting the presence and participation of Mexicans in establishing and developing the city of Phoenix Arizona. (You may need to scroll down to view Parts 2 and 3 of this interview)
Frank Barrios Interview Part 1: Mexicans in Phoenix
Synopsis:
Mr. Barrios uses his photos to demonstrate the important role Mexicans played in founding Phoenix. Historians consider Jack Swilling to be the “father” of Phoenix, but few mention Trinidad Escalante Swilling, his wife, as the mother of Phoenix. With over half of the early Phoenix population of Mexican descent, Mexicans were among the prominent businessmen of the city and involved in politics. The first marshall of Phoenix was Enrique Gárfias. Mexicans, like Angel Delgado, were among the first firemen of Phoenix. Non-Mexican immigrants often had to learn Spanish because of the importance of the Mexican people in the city. There was extensive intermarriage in early Phoenix, but the arrival of the railroad in 1887 and the Flood of 1891 lead to segregation in the city and the Mexican community organizes to fight discrimination and the rise of anti-Mexican and anti-Spanish language laws.
Mr. Barrios uses his photos to demonstrate the important role Mexicans played in founding Phoenix. Historians consider Jack Swilling to be the “father” of Phoenix, but few mention Trinidad Escalante Swilling, his wife, as the mother of Phoenix. With over half of the early Phoenix population of Mexican descent, Mexicans were among the prominent businessmen of the city and involved in politics. The first marshall of Phoenix was Enrique Gárfias. Mexicans, like Angel Delgado, were among the first firemen of Phoenix. Non-Mexican immigrants often had to learn Spanish because of the importance of the Mexican people in the city. There was extensive intermarriage in early Phoenix, but the arrival of the railroad in 1887 and the Flood of 1891 lead to segregation in the city and the Mexican community organizes to fight discrimination and the rise of anti-Mexican and anti-Spanish language laws.
Frank Barrios Interview Part 2: The Catholic Church and Mexicans in Phoenix
Synopsis:
Mexicans build the first Catholic church in Phoenix in 1881, St. Mary’s. They also rebuild the church, but when it is completed, the Mexicans are segregated. This leads to the building of Immaculate Heart Church, still important in the Phoenix Mexican community. At the end of World War II, Father Albert Braun helps build an active community in the barrios that become Sacred Heart Parish; Father Emmett McLoughlin works in the Black and Mexican areas around 7th Ave. and Buckeye Rd. and builds what is now St. Pius X Church and what becomes Memorial Hospital; and in the 1970s, Father José Hurtado, out of Immaculate Heart Church, supports civil rights and is involved with the fast of César Chávez at Santa Rita Hall and the recall of Governor Jack Williams.
Mexicans build the first Catholic church in Phoenix in 1881, St. Mary’s. They also rebuild the church, but when it is completed, the Mexicans are segregated. This leads to the building of Immaculate Heart Church, still important in the Phoenix Mexican community. At the end of World War II, Father Albert Braun helps build an active community in the barrios that become Sacred Heart Parish; Father Emmett McLoughlin works in the Black and Mexican areas around 7th Ave. and Buckeye Rd. and builds what is now St. Pius X Church and what becomes Memorial Hospital; and in the 1970s, Father José Hurtado, out of Immaculate Heart Church, supports civil rights and is involved with the fast of César Chávez at Santa Rita Hall and the recall of Governor Jack Williams.
Frank Barrios Interview Part 3: The Barrios, Entertainment, and Politics
Synopsis:
Mr. Barrios shows photos depicting life in the barrios and their location throughout the city. The love of music leads to a discussion of the musicians including the Andrade family, Pete Bugarín, and Molly Cota along with the Calderon Ballroom. Political photos include Vicent Canales, American Legion Post 41, business community activity, and the first Arizona Governor of Mexican descent, Raul Castro.
Mr. Barrios shows photos depicting life in the barrios and their location throughout the city. The love of music leads to a discussion of the musicians including the Andrade family, Pete Bugarín, and Molly Cota along with the Calderon Ballroom. Political photos include Vicent Canales, American Legion Post 41, business community activity, and the first Arizona Governor of Mexican descent, Raul Castro.