From the Rails to Our Roots

Fort Madison’s Mexican heritage runs deeper than many realize, and it holds a unique distinction as the oldest Mexican community in Iowa. This past weekend, we took an important step in honoring and understanding that story.
On Saturday, March 21, a group of nine local delegates traveled from Galesburg to Chicago aboard Amtrak to explore our shared Latino roots. Central to that history are traqueros—Mexican railroad workers who laid and maintained track across the United States. Many of these men settled in communities like Fort Madison, helping shape our culture, workforce, and identity.
After arriving around lunchtime, we enjoyed an incredible Mexican meal before visiting the National Museum of Mexican Art. There, we experienced the powerful exhibit Rieles y Raíces, which highlights the lives and legacy of traqueros. We were honored with a personalized tour from curators Ismael Cuevas and Alejandro Benavides, who also gifted us a sign and book for the North Lee County Historical Society’s upcoming traquero exhibit.
We then explored Little Village, one of the largest Latino communities in the country. Along 26th Street, a bustling corridor second only to Michigan Avenue in revenue, we learned firsthand how culture, commerce, and community intersect.
This trip was more than a visit, it was a connection to our past and a bridge to future storytelling. Learn more at www.visitfortmadison.com/hechoenfortmadison.
Chi Eastin is the director of the Fort Madison Tourism Board and can be reached at fortmadisontourism.com