Mexico, MO
Population: 11,320
Estimated Latino population: 350*

People from Mexico, the country, come to this town to work. They share more than just the name; the origin of most of its Latinos is Mexico, the country.
Early accounts say this town was named for a tavern sign pointing the way to the Texas Revolution. The city was founded on April 25, 1836, a month after the battle of the Alamo, so Texas shares its founding year with Mexico, Mo.
“The story I heard is that people that were passing by would get to this place and there was a sign that said Mexico, so people would say ‘let’s meet in Mexico’,” says Elia Sandoval, one of the “real” Mexicans in Mexico, Mo. – a small minority in this city, but a proud one. Sandoval came to the Missouri Mexico when her husband, Elpidio, received his appointment to establish a Spanish-language ministry there.
“I think it is different than my Mexico,” affirms Augustina Borques, a factory worker who has lived in this town for the past three years. “Here there are only factories everywhere… we live in Mexico, but definitely not the country.”
Mexico, located in Audrain County in northeast central Missouri, is known as the “Firebrick Capitol of the World” – firebrick from Mexico is used to line the launch pads at Cape Kennedy. Mexico’s landmarks are the Audrain County Historical Society Museum Complex, including the oldest Saddle Horse museum in the United States; the Simmons’ Stable — the oldest and largest public stable in the country; and the Missouri Military Academy, which has served students from all over the United States and many other countries since 1889. Many of the Academy’s students come from Mexico, the country.

— Mariana De Maio

* Census figures indicate 99 Hispanics in Mexico, but our sources indicated there are more than 350.

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Photos by Kevin M. Benedict, Laura Girresch, Douglas Greene, Kristina Hickman, Annie Nelson
Photo Illustrations by Zeina Makky