S.P.M.D.T.U. Concilio Superior

(Sociedad Protección Mutua de Trabajadores Unidos)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 12, 2025

1. S.P.M.D.T.U. Concilio Superior Marker

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From the National Register Nomination prepared by Arnold and Maria Valdez, 9/29/2000:
One of the most prominent buildings in the business district of Antonito, the S.P.M.D.T.U. lodge hall represents an important aspect of Colorado's social history, while also reflecting Hispano heritage in the state. La Sociedad Protección Mutua De Trabajadores Unidos (or S.P.M.D.T.U.) originally organized to address the needs of Hispano workers in Colorado's San Luis Valley and illustrates how Hispanos organized regionally to combat racial hate, economic exploitation, and lack of social services through communal acts of charity among its members. After the fraternal organization spread into other regions of Colorado and New Mexico, S.P.M.D.T.U. members began constructing this headquarters in 1923, which was completed in 1925. Eventually, the Concilio Superior

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 12, 2025

2. S.P.M.D.T.U. Concilio Superior Marker

The marker is mounted on the left side of the east/front entrance.

conducted business, served as the convention center, and was the organizing body for the sixty-four lodges located throughout Colorado, and in parts of New Mexico and Utah. As the headquarters for this pervading organization, the Concilio Superior is considered significant at the state level. Membership in the organization peaked at over 3,000 after World War II.

Concilio Superior is situated at the northwest corner of Main and 6th Street. It has a 54'-by-127' rectangular plan, a concrete foundation, and 20-foot-high adobe walls with a stucco finish. A parapet wall with concrete coping obscures the gabled end of the east facade. Raised rib "Pro-Panel" metal roofing covers the front gabled roof with its overhanging eaves and exposed rafters. Two adobe chimneys pierce the roofs east and west slopes. The roof is comprised of steel Warren trusses spaced on fifteen-foot centers that are supported by a series of interior reinforced concrete pilasters. Rough sawn 2'-by-12' rafters spanning perpendicularly to the trusses are sheathed with 1" rough-sawn planks. The interior of the structure is a large, rustic, open space with exposed steel Warren trusses, wood rafters, and a wooden floor. Located along the north and south walls are simple handcrafted small wooden bleachers. The building has undergone very little alteration since its construction.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 13, 2025

3. S.P.M.D.T.U. Concilio Superior (southeast elevation)

Excerpt:  During its early decades, SPMDTU rented the Antonito Opera House when it needed a large space for events. In 1920, as the society’s councils and membership continued to grow, The Concilio Superior decided to build a permanent headquarters and meeting hall in Antonito. Each member was initially assessed a tax of seventy-five cents to get the process started. Members were later taxed an additional five to ten dollars to buy the building site and start the construction fund. These amounts were essentially loans that were refunded upon the member’s death.

Construction started in 1923 and was completed in 1925. The building, located on Main Street, was constructed using adobe walls with a stucco finish. The Main Street façade was designed with a ticket window and two doors to accommodate sports and social events. The interior of the building included a large open hall, a raised stage, and bleachers. The building’s use of steel trusses and commercial windows in a southwestern vernacular design helped introduce new architectural features to Hispano communities in the San Luis Valley.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 13, 2025

4. S.P.M.D.T.U. Concilio Superior (east/front elevation)

From the National Register Nomination:  The east elevation, facing Main Street, has four concrete pilasters topped with concrete ball finials that divide the facade into three bays. The central bay has a recessed entry with two steel support columns. At the center of this recessed area is a window that was used as a ticket booth. Flanking the ticket window are two paneled wood doors with transom lights. These two doors organized patrons entering into the lodge hall. Currently, because the S.P.M.D.T.U. no longer sponsors sports or social events, only one door is used, and the other is locked. Above this entry are three windows evenly spaced between pilasters. Painted in bold letters below these windows are the words "CONCILIO SUPERIOR"; "S.P.M.D.T.U." and "1900" are painted above the windows. The parapet wall peaks within this central bay. The outside bays each have two windows — one above the other. Between the windows "BUILT 1925" is painted. All the windows are original, single pane glass and they all have concrete sills.

(by Thomas J. Noel)  Excerpt:  La Sociedad Protección Mutua de Trabajadores Unidos (united workers' mutual protection society) was founded in Antonito in 1900 by seven Hispanic laborers, including Celedonio Mondragon, the first president. The SPMDTU promoted Spanish language and culture, fought discrimination, and provided social activities and low-cost group insurance. From this headquarters, the organization established sixty-three other chapters throughout Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah, with a peak membership of around 2,500. About a dozen chapters remain active.

Members constructed this two-story Mission Revival hall of adobe with a bright white concrete stucco finish. It includes a 100-by-49-foot meeting hall with a stage, in addition to offices. Shallow-arched steel trusses span the hall.

Excerpt:  Originally created to combat racism against Hispanos in the San Luis Valley, this fraternal organization later expanded to provide mutual aid, thereby playing an important

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role in the overall social history of Colorado. Construction of this building popularized the use of steel trusses, introduced changes in massing, and promoted hybridized Southwest vernacular designs subsequently utilized in other Hispano enclaves.