MS
231
Cleofás
Calleros Papers
Scope and Content
Notes
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The
Cleofás Calleros Papers reflect the diverse interests and talents of this famous
El Paso civic leader and Southwest historian, and his involvement with numerous
civic, religious, and business organizations and institutions from about 1915
through 1973. His papers as Director
of the local office of the National Catholic Welfare Conference document the
role of the Catholic Church in immigration and social work on the U.S. – Mexican
border. He assisted numerous religious orders expelled from Mexico during the
post-revolutionary government’s persecution of the Church in the 1920’s and
1930’s, as well as individual immigration and naturalization cases. Included
in his papers are the minutes and correspondence from conferences of various
local Mexican American political groups of the 1930’s that fought for respect
and equal rights for Mexicans, such as Sociedades Latino Americanas. Correspondence,
yearbooks, scrapbooks and photographs of predominantly Mexican Catholic parishes
chronicle the history of El Paso’s Mexican American community from the 1920’s
to the 1960’s. The activities of
the Bishop and Diocese of El Paso, the Knights of Columbus, El Paso County Relief
Board, and early veterans’ groups, civic groups, charities, orphanages, and
schools are related through his correspondence and photograph collection. The
Chamizal Settlement is recorded in Calleros’ correspondence and collection of
newspaper articles about the dispute. The papers from his extensive business
interests reflect the affairs of the local Mexican American community. Calleros’
local history columns in the
El
Paso Times, copies of his publications,
and Historical research are included in this series as well. Many of the newspapers,
newsletters, journals and pamphlets in the Calleros Papers relate to Historical
events in El Paso, Juárez and the Southwest. The Calleros Papers contain postcards
from the Southwest United States and Europe. Rare photographs of Catholic missions
and clergy, early religious processions, the construction of Mt. Cristo Rey,
Mexican-American parish activities, the Tigua Indians, and Historical photographs
of early El Paso families and events are also part of the collection.
The
first series, General Correspondence, contains Calleros’ general correspondence;
his World War I correspondence; correspondence written by Benita Blanco Calleros,
various family members, and others; thank you cards, notes, invitations and
announcements.
The
Civic/Religious Organizations and Activities
series includes files from the El Paso office of the National Catholic Welfare
Conference. The office correspondence of Miss Caroline Boone, social worker
and predecessor to Cleofás Calleros, is in this series, as well as Calleros’
office correspondence. Government legislation and rules and regulations on immigration
and naturalization are in this series. Files of religious groups expelled from
Mexico and other immigration cases are in the Client Case Files.
Correspondence,
minutes, and other materials relating to the activities of the
Texas Relief Commission’s Mexican Problems Committee and the El Paso
Country Relief Board during the Great Depression are included.
The papers from various El Paso Mexican American political groups from
the 1930’s are in this series, including the Mexican American Immigration Convention,
Sociedades Latino Americanas, and materials relating to the color classification
of Mexicans.
This
series also reflects Cleofás Calleros’ varied civic and religious activities.
Correspondence, newspaper clippings, yearbooks and other materials from groups
such as veterans’ groups, fraternal organizations, youth projects, charitable
organizations, Historical societies, libraries, and museums are located here.
Most notable and extensive are the papers of the Knights of Columbus, the American
Academy of Achievement, local veterans’ groups, Crossroads of America, Butterfield
Overland Mail, El Paso Street Name Change Committee, Sun Carnival, and the Texas
Centennial of 1936. A collection of local concert and theater programs from
the 1920’s and 1930’s is included in this series.
The
third series, Political Activities and Issues, has a large collection of newspaper
articles and correspondence about the Chamizal Dispute, as well as correspondence
with politicians and dignitaries and political campaign advertisements.
The
next series, Business and Financial Material,
reflects Cleofás Calleros’ diverse business interests. His general business
correspondence, statements and receipts from various individuals and local companies
are included. Material from his job on the railroad contains correspondence
and reports from various railways such as the Santa Fe and Southern Pacific
Railroads. Legal contracts, deeds, mortgages, promissory notes, bills of sale,
insurance policies, tax receipts, and banking records are in this series.
Records and papers from his notary, accounting, income tax, and real
estate businesses are filed in client case files.
Material
related to Calleros’ Literary Endeavors are contained in the fifth series. His literary
correspondence and “El Paso—Then and Now” newspaper columns are included. This
series contains drafts of some of his speeches, as well as promotional material
and account ledgers for the sale of his books. His Historical research, proofs
and drafts, and publications of articles, pamphlets, and books are filed in
this series. Newspaper clippings about his publications and his personal book
collection are also included.
The
sixth series, Personal and Biographical Material, contains travel memorabilia from
the Calleros’ many travels, especially to Europe in the 1920’s and to Mexico.
Many of Calleros’ diplomas and awards, such as certificates from the Knights
of Columbus and City of El Paso, are located in this series. His resume, personal
recommendations, genealogy, marriage license, last will and testament, and other
personal information are included. This series contains several newspaper clippings
about Calleros. The scrapbooks include three Knights of Columbus books with
photographs, clippings, and other memorabilia from about 1930 to 1940. Another
scrapbook is on St. Ignatius Church and School from 1911 – 1933. A large scrapbook,
titled “The Derricks,” contains photographs, clippings, and souvenirs of early
El Paso with notes in Russian. Also included in this series are two scrapbooks
containing photographs and other materials from the visit of the Spanish Ambassador
to El Paso in 1957.
A
large assortment of over 2400 photographs and about 1400 negatives make up the
seventh series, Photographs and Other
Works of Art. Historical photographs include events and people in Paso del
Norte, early religious processions, churches and clergy, civic events such as
the Sun Carnival parade in 1936, and the Butterfield Overland Mail celebration
in the 1950’s. Other important photographs chronicle El Paso’s Mexican American
community, the construction of Mt. Cristo Rey, and various Tigua Indian gatherings
at Ysleta Mission. The collection also contains photographs of banquets, book
presentations, artistic photographs, and photographs of Calleros’ travels, friends,
and family. The series includes photographs of artist José Cisneros and illustrations
he made for Calleros’ books. Maps, photographs of Historical documents, and
other drawings are included. Over 350 postcards of Europe and the Southwestern
United States and Mexico dating from 1920 to 1970, 48 slides of New Mexican
missions, and an early album of western travel scenes are also in the series.
The last series, Publications by Others, contains books, local English and Spanish language newspapers (mostly articles and partial issues) and newsletters from El Paso civic and religious groups. Newspaper supplements from 1937 feature the coronation of King George of the United Kingdom. Some Mexican American and Chicano periodicals and other publications are in this series. A large assortment of articles and pamphlets from the early 1920 The last series, Publications by Others, contains books, local English and Spanish language newspapers (mostly articles and partial issues) and newsletters from El Paso civic and religious groups. Newspaper supplements from 1937 feature the coronation of King George of the United Kingdom. Some Mexican American and Chicano periodicals and other publications are in this series. A large assortment of articles and pamphlets from the early 1920’s to 1970 describes points of interest in the local El Paso and Juárez areas. This series contains “El Jacal,” St. Joséph’s Academy Yearbook from 1940, and “La Acequia,” the El Paso County School Annual from 1924. Other government, religious and general publications are located in this series.