Venice Mexican American Traquero Monument Project

It is a historical fact that Mexican migrants and Mexican Americans partook in the construction of the interurban main railroad systems. Although, it is not taught in our schools nor in our history books, it is important to acknowledge and honor the great contributions made by the Mexican American railroad workers known as Traqueros in constructing the railways that connected the Westside with downtown LA through Venice and Santa Monica.

The Venice Mexican American Traqueros Monument Committee is being led by Laura Ceballos, a Venice Native and Community Organizer. Laura has been inspired by the Venice Japanese American Memorial Monument and feels it imperative to preserve the Mexican American History on the Westside.

The purpose of the project is to create a Historic Monument that reflects the history of the Mexican American Railroad Workers on the Westside that influenced and helped develop the Main Railroad Transportation System. The monument is to be located at the Venice Windward Circle.

The project is quickly gaining support and has strong supporters such as Senator Ben Allen, Civil Rights Activist Dolores Huerta, State Assembly Member Autumn Burke, Council Member Mike Bonin, Santa Monica College, UCLA Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture, and more Community Leaders that are coming forward to support this vital project.