Olivia & the Eola Boxcar Camp: An Immigrant’s Journey

Local author Dr. Alejandro Benavides discusses the history of the Eola Boxcar Camp and his new book, Olivia, which is based on the immigrants who made it their home.

Dr. Alejandro Benavides published his work of historical fiction, Olivia: Boxcar-Camp Girl & Visionary of La Hispanidad, in February 2024. Dr. Benavides has conducted extensive research on the Eola Boxcar Camp and the surrounding community, including interviewing those who remember it. The resulting book is a community narrative on the Mexican immigrants and Tejano migrants that made Aurora their home in the twentieth century.

Dr. Benavides was born in southern Texas and migrated to Aurora in 1950. He grew up on the east side of Aurora near the location of the Eola Boxcar Camp. After four years in the Air Force, he began his quest for higher education. Dr. Benavides earned an AA in sociology, a BS in special education, a master's degree in education, and was awarded a Ph.D. in Education Leadership.

Books will be available for purchase at the event. Participants may also participate in a prize drawing- the lucky winner will take home a copy of Olivia! Appetizers and refreshments will be served while supplies last.

Join us in-person at the Santori Library in Room 125/126 or virtually via Zoom!

https://aurorapubliclibrary-org.zoom.us/j/88023004005?pwd=wIRLZ71FadnI6RNqeKW29sX6W0BtYO.1

Passcode: Olivia

About the book

Olivia was born in Mexico where she lived with her family until 1927. She then immigrated to a Mexican boxcar camp in Aurora Illinois, where the Hispanic population was gradually rising.

Olivia’s life is interwoven with stories of other people from Mexico who settled in Aurora, along with the stories of Mexican Americans who come later. Despite their growing community, they still must deal with racism and cross-cultural conflicts.

Olivia begins a transformation after experiencing visions. With the aid of her Mexican religious resilience, spiritual shaman experience, and education, Olivia’s vision crystalizes as la Hispanidad: a community that embraces the Spanish language and its diverse Hispanic cultures. A vision of her former railroad city transforms into a revenue-generating Hispanic tourist attraction known as Aurora: The City of La Hispanidad. Follow Olivia as she experiences life and death, love and hate, but learns to never abandon a dream.

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