By Austin L McKittrick, film and media major, class of 2024

The Front Street crew, consisting of 34 Mexican workers, worked on the railroad in Junction City, Oregon. Junction City is a small town about 10 miles north of Eugene. Throughout the 1900s-1930s the town never exceeded a population of over 1000 people. Out of all crew members only one was born in the US (Arizona), while both of his parents were born in Mexico. Therefore, 33 of the 34 members immigrated from Mexico to the USA between 1902 and 1930.

The 1930 Junction City census revealed the following distribution of migration years: about 12% crossed between 1900 and 1915, 20 % between 1916 and 1920, 65% between 1921 and 1930, and 3% were born in the USA. These percentages indicate that 85% of the crew migrated between 1916 and 1930, with 65% of the crew doing so between 1921 and 1930. This prompts the question: why did most of the crew members immigrate during these 14 years and possibly why did they choose the railroad industry in Oregon?

Junction City Front Street Railroad in 1936. Courtesy: University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries.

To understand these migration patterns, it is essential to consider the broader historical context. The Mexican Revolution (1910-1917) is universally recognized as one of the key reasons behind the migration of many Mexicanos between 1921 and 1930. This conflict plunged Mexico into hard times, marked by widespread violence, economic instability, and agricultural disruption.

Although the war officially ended in 1917, its aftermath significantly damaged aspects of Mexico. This led to Mexicans seeking better opportunities elsewhere, even if it meant leaving behind everything familiar, including family and friends. Despite recent history and modern border controls, many Mexicanos were able to enter the United States during this time. Beyond Smoke and Mirrors highlights that “the United States continued to pursue a lax immigration policy toward Mexico throughout the boom years of the 1920s”. This leniency was due to the perception of Mexican workers as a reliable and inexpensive labor force that was often taking on jobs that the white Americans were less willing to do. Their hard work and willingness to perform essential yet demanding tasks were extremely valuable to the rapidly growing U.S. economy during the roaring 20s. Additionally, the significantly better wages in the US compared to Mexico for similar work likely contributed to the massive migration between 1915 and 1930. This was additionally the case in the railroad industry in the book By the Sweat of Their Brow, where Mark Reiser writes that

“Mexicans preferred railroad jobs, despite the lower wages, because the companies furnished water, coal, and housing in boxcars. The railroads also often offered steadier employment rather than steel plants and agriculture.”

The recruitment of these industries offered better opportunities and financial gains to Mexicanos in the Roaring Twenties, also significantly influencing migration patterns during that period. The Mexicanos in Lane County during the 1920s-1930s provide a detailed understanding of their migration patterns, situated within historical, socio-economic, and humanistic contexts.

The story of the Front Street crew not only provides a detailed look at their individual experiences but also situates the crew within broader trends observed in the 1930 Junction City census. The Front Street crew’s demographics reflect typical migration patterns of Mexicanos to Lane County during the 1920s-30s. Many like the Front Street crew arrived between 1921 and 1930 driven by factors such as economic opportunities, a fresh start, and the aftermath of the Mexican Revolution. Also, a majority of the Mexicanos who lived in Lane County were working on the railroad. The Front Street crew was unique in the census because one of its members, Jerardo Martinez, immigrated in 1903. This made him the earliest Mexican immigrant recorded in the entire census. This blend of early and later arrivals within the overall census highlights the varied experiences and contributions of Mexican immigrants in the region. While most of these crew members arrived during a specific period, they also had the long-residing Mexican immigrant throughout the entire Lane County census.

The US and Mexico border in the 1930s. Courtesy: University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries.

Exploring the narrative of the Front Street crew unveils fresh insights into Mexican migration history and its impact on Lane County, Oregon. Their journey illuminates the broader trends of Mexican laborers migrating to the United States and being drawn to industries like railroads for better opportunities for themselves and their families if they had one.

Furthermore, their effort in Lane County underscores the significant role Mexican immigrants played in shaping the region’s economic and cultural identity.

Big Picture Impact of Latinos in Lane County

Despite encountering obstacles, the Front Street crew’s enduring legacy symbolizes the resilience and invaluable contributions of Mexican immigrants to Lane County’s growth. There was no further trace of these workers after this census, but their story and hard work enrich our understanding of both Mexican migration history and the local narrative of Lane County, Oregon. As well as provides valuable perspectives on immigration dynamics and community evolution throughout history.