Alamosa Schools Desegregation Memorial
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To access the website that is designed to spread awareness of this landmark case, please click here .
One of the nation’s earliest and longest unheralded victories in the war against educational segregation took place in the San Luis Valley between 1912 and 1914 and the big winners were Alamosa’s Hispano children. The term "Hispano" is used to refer to people of Spanish descent that live in the southwest United States.
In 1914, "The Denver Catholic Register" called the decision "historic," noting that it “was the first time in the history of America that a court fight was made over an attempt to segregate Mexicans in school.” The suit grew from grassroots concern for equal education of Alamosa’s children.
Lying unnoticed from 1914 to 2016 and labeled Francisco Maestas et al vs. George H. Shone et al, the suit dates back to 1912 when Alamosa was still part of Conejos County. Ten-year-old Miguel Antonio Maestas was forced to walk seven blocks from his home on the north end of Ross Ave. to the "Mexican" school building at the intersection of Ninth and Ross and some children had to walk even farther.
The McKinney directory of Alamosa listed the “Mexican Preparatory School” as being at Ninth and Ross. There was no telephone number.
On Sept. 2, 1913, Francisco Maestas went to the Superintendent of Schools and asked to enroll his son. The request was refused and Mr. Maestas was told he had to enroll his son in the "Mexican School." Land for the school was purchased in 1909 for a building to serve only "Mexicans" and was documented as such. The school board ordered all “Mexican” children to attend the school, no matter how far they had to walk.
Mr. Maestas filed suit on behalf of his son and other Hispano children in Alamosa. The suit was supported by fellow Hispano families, who contributed whatever they could, along with the Sociedad Protectiva de Trabajadores Unidos (SPMDTU) and priests and members from the local Catholic parishes.
Despite the fact that the area had long been part of the United States and the persons involved were born here, the reference was repeatedly made to “Mexican” children versus “American” families. It was assumed that “Mexican” children could not be educated in English and the school board maintained it was doing them a favor, giving them their own school.
Parents pulled their children out of school and educated them at home, an action District Judge Martin Gonzales compared to the battle of Puebla, Mexico on May 5, 1862 in which a poorly equipped band of Mexicans and mixed breed persons thwarted the well-equipped and supported French to win freedom from their rule.
After a lengthy trial, District Court Judge Charles Holbrook, a southerner, determined that the plaintiffs had made a sufficient case for admittance of the students and issued an order to the school board and superintendent to admit the children to the public school most convenient to their homes. Judge Holbrook stated that “in the opinion of the court … the only way to destroy this feeling of discontent and bitterness which has recently grown up, is to allow all children so prepared, to attend the school nearest them.”
That ruling stood and still stands.
A committee has been formed to erect a monument to the landmark Maestas v. Shone case in Alamosa County and to raise funds for commemoration and public education. To that end, public donations would be greatly appreciated.
One of the nation’s earliest and longest unheralded victories in the war against educational segregation took place in the San Luis Valley between 1912 and 1914 and the big winners were Alamosa’s Hispano children. The term "Hispano" is used to refer to people of Spanish descent that live in the southwest United States.
In 1914, "The Denver Catholic Register" called the decision "historic," noting that it “was the first time in the history of America that a court fight was made over an attempt to segregate Mexicans in school.” The suit grew from grassroots concern for equal education of Alamosa’s children.
Lying unnoticed from 1914 to 2016 and labeled Francisco Maestas et al vs. George H. Shone et al, the suit dates back to 1912 when Alamosa was still part of Conejos County. Ten-year-old Miguel Antonio Maestas was forced to walk seven blocks from his home on the north end of Ross Ave. to the "Mexican" school building at the intersection of Ninth and Ross and some children had to walk even farther.
The McKinney directory of Alamosa listed the “Mexican Preparatory School” as being at Ninth and Ross. There was no telephone number.
On Sept. 2, 1913, Francisco Maestas went to the Superintendent of Schools and asked to enroll his son. The request was refused and Mr. Maestas was told he had to enroll his son in the "Mexican School." Land for the school was purchased in 1909 for a building to serve only "Mexicans" and was documented as such. The school board ordered all “Mexican” children to attend the school, no matter how far they had to walk.
Mr. Maestas filed suit on behalf of his son and other Hispano children in Alamosa. The suit was supported by fellow Hispano families, who contributed whatever they could, along with the Sociedad Protectiva de Trabajadores Unidos (SPMDTU) and priests and members from the local Catholic parishes.
Despite the fact that the area had long been part of the United States and the persons involved were born here, the reference was repeatedly made to “Mexican” children versus “American” families. It was assumed that “Mexican” children could not be educated in English and the school board maintained it was doing them a favor, giving them their own school.
Parents pulled their children out of school and educated them at home, an action District Judge Martin Gonzales compared to the battle of Puebla, Mexico on May 5, 1862 in which a poorly equipped band of Mexicans and mixed breed persons thwarted the well-equipped and supported French to win freedom from their rule.
After a lengthy trial, District Court Judge Charles Holbrook, a southerner, determined that the plaintiffs had made a sufficient case for admittance of the students and issued an order to the school board and superintendent to admit the children to the public school most convenient to their homes. Judge Holbrook stated that “in the opinion of the court … the only way to destroy this feeling of discontent and bitterness which has recently grown up, is to allow all children so prepared, to attend the school nearest them.”
That ruling stood and still stands.
A committee has been formed to erect a monument to the landmark Maestas v. Shone case in Alamosa County and to raise funds for commemoration and public education. To that end, public donations would be greatly appreciated.
Fundraising team: Maestas Commemoration Committee (2)
Ronnie Mondragon
Organizer
Alamosa, CO
Jose Amaya
Team member