San Marcos, Guatemala — Central America

Justo Rufino Barrios

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 22, 2013

1. Justo Rufino Barrios Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

La Resp. Log. Estrella de Occi. No. 4 a la mem. del hijo preclaro de este pueblo ref. de Guate. y mártir de la union centro-americana, General Justo Rufino Barrios

28 de Fero de 1885 - 2 de Abril 1885

English translation:
The Respectable Lodge Star of the West No. 4 to the memory of a distinguished son of Guatemala and martyr of Central American union, General Justo Rufino Barrios

February 28, 1885 - April 2, 1885

Erected 1898 by San Marcos Departmental Government.

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: Military. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1972.

Location. 14° 57.852′ N, 91° 47.413′ W. Memorial is in San Marcos. It is on RN-1, on the left when traveling west. This marker and statue are on the Calzada Revolucion de ´71 as one enters San Marcos from San Pedro Sacatepequez, San Marcos. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: San Marcos 12002, Guatemala. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in North America,

specifically in Central America,

in Mesoamerica,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

and in the Western Hemisphere.

Historically, it finds

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itself in what was once New Spain

and also a Spanish colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Adolfo V. Hall R. (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Carlos Castillos Armas (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The 150th Anniversary of San Marcos Department (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Bishop Álvaro Leonel Ramazzini Imeri (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Rigoberta Menchú (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Cross of the Pregón and the Pa'ach Ceremony (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Guty Enrique Alvarado Vásquez (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); General Miguel Garcia Granados (approx. 0.8 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Marcos.

Additional commentary.
1. Short history of Justo Rufino Barrios' life
Justo Rufino Barrios, born near San Marcos in San Lorenzo in 1835, participated in the 1871 revolution against conservative President Cerna. As a Liberal President, he is known as the "Reformer" for the many positive reforms he started in Guatemala. The reforms were numerous and included free primary education, the introduction of the first telegraph and railroad services,

Justo Rufino Barrios statue detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 22, 2013

2. Justo Rufino Barrios statue detail

His right hand holds the unilateral "Declaration of Central American Union". The left hand holds a sword as a symbol of his military experience.

changes to the criminal code and the founding of banks. He is also remembered for settling disputes over Guatemala's border with Mexico by relinquishing Guatemalan claims over parts of southern Mexico. However, Barrios became anti-democratic and authoritarian as his rule progressed, eventually leading to his unilateral declaration of Central American union. When the other countries, particularly El Salvador, refused to join a union with Barrios as head, he chose to attempt to force the issue militarily. Unfortunately he also chose to lead the invasion personally and died during the Battle of Chalchuapa on April 2, 1885. He is remembered as a complicated figure in Guatemalan history.

— Submitted January 12, 2014, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.

Justo Rufino Barrios Marker and Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 22, 2013

3. Justo Rufino Barrios Marker and Statue

Justo Rufino Barrios Monument and Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, January 3, 2019

4. Justo Rufino Barrios Monument and Markers

The monument was recently repainted and the statue rehabilitated.

North side marker of Justo Rufino Barrios statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 22, 2013

5. North side marker of Justo Rufino Barrios statue

The dates shown are Barrios' birth, Battle of Nentón, Battle of Tacaná and final entry of the 1871 revolutionary troops into Guatemala City.

South side marker on the Justo Rufino Barrios statue. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 22, 2013

6. South side marker on the Justo Rufino Barrios statue.

Additional important dates in the life of Barrios, with the last the date of his death near Chalchuapa, El Salvador on April 2, 1885.

Additional marker on Justo Rufino Barrios statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 22, 2013

7. Additional marker on Justo Rufino Barrios statue

The jefatura politica departmental en 1898 construyó; reconstruyó en 1933. English: The departmental government constructed in 1898; reconstructed in 1933. The statue also fell off on Nov. 7, 2012 and was replaced after an earthquake.

Nearby Masonic Lodge mentioned in the marker text image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, January 1, 2019

8. Nearby Masonic Lodge mentioned in the marker text

The "Logia Estrella del Occidente, No. 4" Masonic Lodge was damaged in a 2012 earthquake but was recently rehabilitated and painted. It is in front of the San Marcos Catholic Church.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 21, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 11, 2014, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 1,020 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 11, 2014, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on January 12, 2014, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on January 11, 2014, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 4. submitted on January 21, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 5. submitted on January 11, 2014, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 6. submitted on January 12, 2014, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 7. submitted on January 11, 2014, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 8. submitted on January 21, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.