Mexican Immigration and the Saint Louis Region, 1900–1935

Scholarship has largely ignored the establishment of a Mexican community in St. Louis during the early twentieth century. Contributing to this lack of attention may be the incomplete census records of the era, as available resources show that the Mexican-origin population was not only larger than reported, they participated in a variety of work opportunities, housing, and society in a manner distinct from most other major U.S. cities in the Midwest and Southwest. This article examines the embryonic Hispanic community in St. Louis in the early twentieth century, demonstrating the impact of these residents, both in creating businesses, clubs, and societies, and in helping establish a Mexican immigration path that spread across the Midwest and returned to St. Louis for the forced repatriation of residents during the 1930s.