Back Forward: Hispanic Heritage

In the more than a century since Oklahoma statehood, Hispanic heritage has had a big influence on our communities. Food, music, and cultural values are just a few of the myriad lasting effects on society. Oklahoma is filled with historical sites and areas of cultural appreciation to acknowledge the value of the Hispanic community.

Starting in 1821, the Santa Fe Trail was an important passage for commercial and military uses. When Mexico opened its borders, this provided the neighboring U.S. territories more access to the west and allowed provincial goods to be moved back and forth. The trail itself is 1,200 miles long and crosses through five states—beginning in Franklin, Missouri and ending in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Autograph Rock near Boise City is a historical record of travelers from the past. Photo courtesy National Park Service

In Oklahoma, the trail passes through what is known today as Cimarron County. One landmark is Autograph Rock, so named because travelers carved their names into the boulder seven miles northwest of Boise City.

Visitors can take a look at history and remember those who passed through our state so many years ago. While it was an important gateway for western trade, it was also an essential trail for emigration from Mexico. Many early settlers from the country settled after trekking the many miles of dirt road and wagon rides. Until its replacement with the railroad system in 1880, it should be mentioned that this trail represented a time of displacement as settlers expanded west. Many First Americans lost their homes and, as Mexican immigrants continued to move, their place in American society became complicated as well.

Decades later, the Hispanic population continued to grow within Oklahoma. As more people settled, important cultural institutions were established. This includes the Little Flower Catholic Church located in Oklahoma City. In 1927, three priests of the Order of Discalced Carmelites were expelled from Mexico and came here to increase the amount of activities offered to the Mexican community residing in different parts of the state. Named after the nun St. Thérèse of Lisieux, who was properly known as “The Little Flower of Jesus,” the church contains an altar dedicated in her honor. The church became an important haven for Mexican immigrants residing in Oklahoma. To this day, the Oklahoma City church still holds regular masses. This church paved the way for the establishment of others around the state, such as Our Lady of Guadalupe, which is now part of the St. Francis Xavier parish in Tulsa.

La 29 Mural 1: La Historia by Narciso Argüelles. Photo courtesy La 29

Hispanic heritage is also represented through artwork around Oklahoma City. A more recent commission by the SW 29th District Association is La Historia by the local artist Narciso Argüelles. The mural is meant to show four different time periods in Mexican history. This includes Aztec history, the lowrider movement, and the era of Frida Kahlo. Located on the East side of Jose’s Transmission Shop on the corner of Southwest Twenty-Ninth Street and South Western Avenue, the images represent Hispanic excellence. The owner of the shop, Jose Realzola, has been serving the OKC economy for over thirty years since coming from Durango, Mexico, making it the perfect spot to showcase the long standing Hispanic traditions held here in Oklahoma.

Written By

Olivia McCourry