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Consultant outlines Oak Grove Park survey of former Mexican barrio; community input requested
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Summary
Tallgrass Archaeology presented an intensive-level survey of Oak Grove Park and roughly a dozen surrounding properties to assess National Register eligibility for a historic Mexican barrio tied to railroad labor; staff said findings will be shared with the Iowa DOT and State Historic Preservation Office and community outreach is planned.
Ray Warner, principal investigator with Tallgrass Archaeology, presented the scope and early findings of an intensive-level survey of Oak Grove Park and about 12 adjacent properties contracted by the Iowa Department of Transportation as mitigation for the Highway 6 bridge replacement. Warner said the study focuses on a Mexican barrio that formed around Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific railroad workers and their families and that documentary, census and archival sources are being compiled to build site-specific histories.
What the research covers: Warner said researchers are assembling maps, aerial photos, property-ownership chronologies and U.S. census records covering roughly 1909 to about 1936 to understand who lived in the area and how the neighborhood developed. He described outreach to newspaper and parish sources, scattered railroad archival holdings and comparative research on other Midwest Mexican railroad communities. The work package will identify whether individual properties or a district are eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and may recommend archaeological work where subsurface features (for example, privies) could inform interpretation.
Commission discussion and community input: Commissioners asked about eligibility versus a local district, outreach to descendants, and how naming or signage for Oak Grove Park might be handled as part of future park rehabilitation. Commissioner Burford, who said he is a native of Iowa City, and others called the research “fascinating” and urged including descendants and community members. Public commenter Isabel Perez thanked the commission and asked that the Cano family (who live in Des Moines) be included in outreach. Staff said they would note interested families and share future materials and agendas.
Next steps: Warner said the team will produce a draft report for DOT, staff and the State Historic Preservation Office and return to the commission for feedback and goals-setting. The report will include recommendations on National Register eligibility and any suggested archaeological follow-up.
