STATE OF INDIANA
Indiana’s Migration History
Indiana is a state located in the Midwest region of the United States, and it has a rich history of migration that has shaped its population and culture.
The earliest human migration to Indiana dates back over 10,000 years ago when Paleo-Indians first settled in the area. Later, the arrival of European settlers in the 18th and 19th centuries brought significant changes to the state. Many of the early settlers came from the eastern states and brought with them a farming culture. They built small towns and cities that dotted the landscape, such as Indianapolis, the capital city.
During the mid-19th century, Indiana became a destination for many German immigrants who were fleeing political upheavals in their homeland. They settled in several cities throughout the state, including Fort Wayne and Evansville. Additionally, the Irish migrated to Indiana in large numbers during the same period, especially to the cities of Indianapolis, South Bend, and Gary, where they worked in factories and on railroads.
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw another wave of migration, this time from southern and eastern Europe. Polish, Italian, and other Slavic immigrants arrived in Indiana in large numbers and settled primarily in the industrial cities of Gary, East Chicago, and South Bend. African Americans also migrated to Indiana during this period, mostly from southern states, to work in steel mills and factories.
In the mid-20th century, Indiana experienced a significant shift in its population due to changes in the economy. Many residents moved from rural areas to urban centers, especially in the northern part of the state, to take advantage of job opportunities in the automotive and steel industries. At the same time, many African Americans left the state's rural south to escape discrimination and seek better economic opportunities in the cities.
Mexican Migration
This was especially true of Mexican immigrants who came to the United States in the first half of the twentieth century. Not only did they help stimulate the United States economy, but they were willing to move into areas like rural Indiana where farmers needed extra help at harvest time. And several Indiana businesses can attribute their success during the lean years of the Great Depression and the labor shortages of the Second World War to the contributions of workers of Mexican origin as mentioned by the Indiana History’s Blog.
Sechler’s Pickles, Inc., just outside the town of St. Joe in DeKalb County has become a successful company and nationally recognized brand over their last century of operations. In addition to the hard work, vision, and savvy of its founders, Ralph and Anne Sechler, the company attributes much of its success to the workers who helped them meet increasing demand over the years. Since the 1940s, many of these laborers have come from Mexico or have had Mexican ancestry.
In recent decades, Indiana has continued to attract immigrants and refugees from all over the world. Many have come to work in the technology industry, while others have fled violence and instability in their home countries. Today, Indiana's population is diverse, with people from all over the world contributing to its culture and economy.
Immigration has played a significant role in shaping Indiana's history and culture. The state's population has been influenced by waves of immigrants and refugees from different parts of the world, and this has contributed to Indiana's rich cultural heritage.
Why is it important to U.S. citizens? Because at the time, and even today, many treat all workers of Mexican origin as a monolith, usually assuming that they are Mexican citizens and migrant workers coming to the U.S. to make money at harvest time and then return to Mexico. This is, in fact, an assumption that allowed Mexico to avoid immigration restrictions that impacted other groups in the 1920s. However, Mexican immigrants and migrants of Mexican origin are not a monolithic group; there are a range of reasons people left Mexico and either returned home or stayed in the United States to brave the road to citizenship. Every Hoosier has their own family immigration story, creating a rich and diverse state history. Families of Mexican origin are not different. The array of migration experiences is as diverse as Hoosiers of Potawatomi, German, African, or Serbian heritage.
At G&G, we are proud and honor to represent our Mexican heritage and we are also very excited to contribute to Indiana’s and the United States economy.
