A Strange Move: The Hovgaard Family c. 1940

By Lauren Martinez, Family & Human Services major, class of 2025 Setting the Stage Mexican women are not often seen as leaders of their families. Juanita E. Hovgaard, formerly Valencia, and her family did not follow the typical narrative of Mexican railroad...

Acculturation and the Aguilar Family, 1941 – 1960

By Natalie Garcia, IRES major, class of 2025 Part 1: Crossing the Border, Starting a Family, and Moises Aguilar’s Introduction to the U.S. Railroad Industry The Aguilar family was a quiet yet persistent force in Lane County. They continued to make space for themselves...

Gender and Property: the Escobar Family, c. 1930s

by Juan P. Ochoa, History Major, Class of 2025 In 1930 the Escobar family lived in the Irving Precinct of Lane County, Oregon headed by Antonio Escobar. The household consisted of himself, his wife, Beatrice, and their two young sons, Francisco and Nicolas. Antonio...