This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
Wandering feet pioneer memories of Cedar Rapids Little Mexico
Grace recalls immigrant John Rodriguez who brought Lydia and ten children to Cedar Rapids in 1918, working near the Rock Island roundhouse and Magnus Brewery. The Mexican community grew from boxcar housing to nearby homes as blocks were razed in 1967, ending Little Mexico. John returned to Mexico and died in 1969 before Anthony was born.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John Rodriguez
Lydia
Cedar Rapids
John
United States
Juarez
Mexico
el Paso
Texas
Grace
Pratt
Kan
Rock Island Railroad Roundhouse
Cedar Lake
Mark Hunter
Magnus Brewery
C Avenue
8Th Street
Mildred
Ramona
Anthony
Little Mexico
Fourth Street
Eighth Street
A Avenue
YMCA
Danceland
U.S. Cellular Center
First Avenue
Roundhouse