By Sofia Huaracha, Sociology major, class of 2027
During the 1920s, Mexicans migrating to the United States had a more accessible opportunity to enter the United States before the Immigration Act of 1924. This act restricted the number of immigrants from every country but banned any immigrants from Asia. However, Mexican migration was still allowed, for they had been migrating following the Mexican American War and had thus been building transnational networks for many years. They were readily accepted due to being seen as “birds of passage,” meaning they came for work and would promptly leave to see their families, or at least that’s what outsiders thought. This was a highly effective relationship between the United States and Mexico as the United States needed cheap labor, and Mexican citizens could benefit from higher wages. In this narrative, I will dive into the story of the Martinez family, who lived in Lane County, Oregon, in 1930.
The Martinez family consisted of three members: Tebronie, born in 1888; Julie L., born in 1890, and Ramona Martinez born in 1923. It is believed that Julie’s name may have been Julia, or that Tebronie’s name is entirely different. This was due to most of the enumerators (individuals who wrote the information on the census) weren’t the most educated on Spanish-sounding names or the language entirely. Hence, it is highly possible to expect some mistakes in census data during these times.
Let’s start with some background information to ease into their journey. Immigration was at an influx during the 1920s, creating a need for labor in the US and Mexico, which still had violence and tension; the citizens needed stability and income. One of the most popular jobs for single Mexicans seeking employment was being a traquero (railroad worker). This job was always in demand of labor due to the expansive nature of railroads. It allowed for transportation to and from the states, a highly sought-after benefit as many workers were individual men working to provide for their families back home. The most common migration trail of railroad workers came from the central regions of Mexico, typically the biggest, most dense cities, or rural. There were many drawbacks to railroad work. Many workers were exploited as the labor recruiters sought out “greenhorns,” the term used for Mexicans with no prior work experience in the United States. Due to this, many quickly came to realize the cost of getting a job. They had to spend almost all the money they made on the price of their food and housing. They were underpaid and working under oppressive conditions, leading many traqueros to leave.
While we may never know the whole story of the Martinez family, we can start with a few basic assumptions based on the information available. This begins with Tebronie and Julie, who married in 1908 in Mexico. It could be assumed that they two had other kids besides Ramona since most couples at the time didn’t wait to have kids till their 30s. Many cities in Mexico that were highly populated became railroad-centered, creating an environment focused on finding more information and economic opportunities. Making money was at the forefront of everyone’s agenda, causing many to migrate to the United States for more financial opportunities. This possibly inspired the couple to seek opportunities outside of Mexico.
Jumping forward to 1920, this is the year that Tebronie came alone to the U.S. He was likely going back and forth between the states and Mexico, as Julie didn’t join him until 1923 when their daughter Ramona was born. Julie may have immigrated so that she could have her husband as support for the baby, or she could’ve gotten pregnant while in the U.S. She was born in Arizona, so we could assume that Julie immigrated near the Arizona border or at least they lived there for some amount of time to give birth to Ramona. This form of migration has been used for years, where the man immigrates to the States to build up some cash for his family and keeps visiting them back and forth until they have enough to bring them over.
In the 1930 census, the Martinez family was in Lane County, Oregon. Pryor, to be specific. It is on the east outskirts of Oakridge, Oregon—a mountainous area surrounded by miles of trees, with a creek to the south. The Pryor area was next to the railroads, coinciding with Tebronies’ job in the 1930s at Southern Pacific Rail Road Company. This job may have allowed for Tebronie and his family’s housing, as many times, the group’s foreman would have encouraged men to bring their families as it solidified their positions with a need for income. It would’ve been an easy journey to his place of employment. It was remote, so they likely didn’t see many new faces. At the time, 13 other people lived in the Pryor area—the Rodrigues family of three, the Oleson family of 5, and 5 men working alone.
LeRoy Oleson was the foreman of the railroad crew and the only white man on the job, hence his title, meaning LeRoy would’ve led the group. Mexican workers did not reap as many benefits as their “Anglo counterparts” (Garcilazo). Thus, most Mexicans weren’t offered leading roles and were confined to laborer positions. The rest of the crew consisted of five men, all married but one. The laborers ranged in age from 18 to 30.
New Willamette Highway being paved, c. 1930
Courtesy of Oregon Digital
The story of the Martinez family tells us about their experiences traveling as a family, as most immigrants in Lane County were single men traveling from job to job. Of the 145 Mexicanos in the 1930 Lane County Census, the Martinez family was one of 11 families. 116 were solo Mexican men working alone, and the majority were single. While we don’t have information on the Martinez family after their stay in Pryor, Oregon, we know they were a couple that worked to provide for their incoming newborn in Arizona. Traveling to Oregon signifies their want for better opportunities and possibly adventure and or experiences, which can conclude the many wants and needs of Mexicanos immigrating to the United States.
Convenience Store off Highway 58 in Oakridge, Oregon, c. 1930
It’s essential to recognize that many immigrant families, including the Martinez family, were looking to start a more stable life with better opportunities for their children. Although they were exploited for their hard work for such low wages, they still persevered and built communities in their destinations. Many helped others back home to assist others in finding work and housing, creating a transnational network that remains today. It is not a black-or-white reason, as so many individuals had their own, but Tebronie and Julie were likely seeking stability, happiness, and well-being. We hope they enjoyed their time here and recognize their hard work in building what we have now as a booming Latino community in Lane County, Oregon.
Bibliography
Garcilazo, Jeffrey Marcos. Traqueros: Mexican Railroad Workers in the United States, 1870 to 1930. UNT Press, 2012. Accessed 20 May 2024.
Sanchez, George J. Becoming Mexican American: Ethnicity, Culture, and Identity in Chicano Los Angeles, 1900-1945. Oxford University Press, 1995. Accessed 20 May 2024.
Veloz, Larisa L. Even the Women Are Leaving: Migrants Making Mexican America, 1890–1965. University of California Press, 2023. Accessed 20 May 2024.