San Marcos, Guatemala — Central America
Justo Rufino Barrios
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
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. Marker is in San Marcos. 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. Marker is in this post office area: San Marcos 12002, Guatemala. Touch for directions.
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, 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 Accra, Ghana.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 21, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 11, 2014, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 760 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 11, 2014, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 2. submitted on January 12, 2014, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 3. submitted on January 11, 2014, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 4. submitted on January 21, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 5. submitted on January 11, 2014, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 6. submitted on January 12, 2014, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 7. submitted on January 11, 2014, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 8. submitted on January 21, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.