Guadalupe Arizona
The other day, while riding around the South Phoenix neighborhoods, I came across Guadalupe Arizona. This is a very poor neighborhood of about 5500 people situated just east of South Mountain and north of Ahwatukee.
Founded in 1907 by the Yaqui Indians who have endured many turbulent times beginning with wars fought against the Spanish and Mexicans. The Yaquis were trying to protect the land that they lived on near the Yaqui River in Sonora, Mexico. When Porforio Diaz defeated them, the Yaquis were sent down to the jungles of Yucatan. But during the Mexican Revolution, the Yaquis joined up with Pancho Villa. When Villa’s army was defeated, the Yaquis headed to the United States for safety. Many of the Yaquis came up to the Salt River Valley to work on the construction of canals in the area. A community sprung up here – where we became Guadalupe.
Over the years many Hispanic families have also located in Guadalupe, and it has becoming a stopping point for Mexican immigrant workers. When the Yaqui people fled to Arizona. Anglos here were sympathetic to their plight as refugees and Yaquis were able to find a home in the Salt River Valley’s agricultural economy. Catholic missionaries also supported the community and helped secure land for a legal Town site in 1914.
The place that caught my eye was the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
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