Alamosa in Alamosa County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Educational Desegregation
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 11, 2025
1. Educational Desegregation Marker
The SPMDTU was founded on November 26, 1900, and is the oldest Hispanic civil rights organization in the United States. It was founded in Antonito, by Celedonio Mondrag๓n and six others to fight discrimination in the fields, in the mining industry, and to defend their property rights.
After a lengthy trial, District Court Judge Charles Holbrook ruled in favor of Maestas and the Hispano children in 1914. Holbrook stated...
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.
National Significance
This is thought to be one of the earliest court victories for educational equity in the US and may be the first documented case involving Mexican Americans.
Erected by Maestas Case Commemoration Committee.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Education • Hispanic Americans • Law Enforcement. A significant historical date for this entry is November 26, 1900.
Location. 37° 27.831′ N, 105° 52.221′ W. Marker is in Alamosa, Colorado, in Alamosa
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains and in the San Luis Valley. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also the Republic of Texas.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Maestas Case 1912-1914 (here, next to this marker); Los Seis de Boulder (within shouting distance of this marker); American Legion Building (approx. 0.3 miles away); Alamosa Depot (approx. 0.3 miles away); American National Bank Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); Sacred Heart Catholic Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Emperius Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); Alamosa Post Office (1935) (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map
2. Marker detail: Judge Charles Holbrook
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Maestas vs. George H. Shone (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: Francisco Maestas et al. vs. George H. Shone et al. was a school desegregation case in Colorado involving Latino children filed in the Colorado district court, 12th district, in 1912 by Francisco Maestas against the Alamosa School District Superintendent and Board of Education in 1913.(Submitted on August 12, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
In September 1913, Maestas tried to enroll his son at the school closer to his home, the North Side School, located at Bell Avenue and Main Street. The request was refused, and he was told that ten-year-old Miguel had to attend the Mexican School.
Ultimately, District Court judge Charles C. Holbrook presided over the case. In March 1914, a ruling of unlawful race prejudice was delivered. Holbrook ordered the school board and superintendent to admit the children to the public school most convenient to their homes.
2. Sociedad Protecci๓n Mutua de Trabajadores Unidos (History Colorado).
3. Marker detail: Cruzando Los Traques (Vํas)
Relief by Reynaldo Sonny Rivera. This bronze rtwork is located at the Alamosa County Courthouse.
Excerpt: The Sociedad Protecci๓n Mutua de Trabajadores Unidos (SPMDTU) is an Hispano mutual aid society founded in Antonito, Colorado in 1900. For over a century this society has provided economic, social, and legal aid to Hispano members in Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. It was key in the preservation of Hispano culture in southern Colorado, and in several major events in Colorado history, including the 1912 school desegregation trial Francisco Maestas et al. vs. George H. Shone et al. Although membership in the organization has declined since the mid-twentieth century, the SPMDTU remains influential across Colorado and New Mexico and continues to hold a biannual convention and regular meetings at local councils.(Submitted on August 12, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 13, 2025
4. Sociedad Protecci๓n Mutua de Trabajadores Unidos
SPMDTU
SPMDTU
This iconic building is 28 miles south of this Alamosa on US Hwy 285, in Antonito, Colorado.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 11, 2025
5. Educational Desegregation Marker
Looking east across Zapata Park. This marker is the center one of three related interpretive panels.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 113 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 12, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
