Hispanics have been living in Minnesota for generations and have made many contributions to the state’s history. The first record of a Hispanic resident dates back to 1886 when 19-year-old oboe player Luis Garzon visited Minneapolis as part of the Mexico City Orchestra. Garzon fell ill and remained behind as the orchestra left town. He stayed and became the first known Hispanic to reside in Minnesota.

 

Hispanics have added to the economic, cultural and social fabric of Minnesota for nearly a century. Since the 1910s, Hispanic workers have provided the backbone for Minnesota's agricultural, food processing, manufacturing and service industries. In the early 1900s, U.S. companies, including the Minnesota Sugar Company (now American Crystal Sugar), began to actively recruit Mexican workers. Labor shortages due to World War I were also a contributing factor to the increased flow of Hispanics to Minnesota. By the early 1930s, more than 3,600 Hispanics were living in Minnesota. During that time, Saint Paul's West Side became an established Hispanic community. Today, Hispanics fill all professional occupations and contribute in every sector of society.

 

The majority of Minnesota’s Hispanics trace their ancestry to Mexico; others come from Cuba, Puerto Rico and other Central and South American countries. Many of the recent immigrants are from Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador and Guatemala. In Minnesota, the majority of Hispanics are not immigrants – 60 percent are native-born U.S. citizens.

 

Hispanics have driven the revitalization of Minneapolis’ East Lake Street. The once run-down, neglected business corridor is now a thriving cooperative shopping and cultural center. Anchored by Mercado Central, the area is home to more than 200 Hispanic-owned businesses.