Living History: Utah’s Latino community dates to mid-19th century

“In 1850, the number of Spanish-surnamed individuals living in Utah could be counted on one hand. By 1900, there were 40. But it wasn’t until the turmoil of the 1910 Mexican Revolution and the enticement to fill America’s need for cheap labor during World War I (1914-1918) that significant numbers of poor Mexican men migrated to Utah. Their hope was to earn money for their families and return home.

Migrant workers like Guadalupe Rodriguez followed the seasonal path from the growing fields of California to the sugar beets of Utah. Reyes Florez wore out two picks a day hauling 20-foot-long rails and replacing ties for the Denver & Rio Grande railroad. Dahlia Cordova’s grandfather watered trains in Helper, content to sign documents with an X, but he wanted more for his son. “

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