¿Qué pasó? May 5th is Cinco de Mayo and I wouldn’t celebrate anywhere else but in Pottsville. I bet you did not know that the legendary General and Mexican Dictator, Santa Anna, was born in Jalappa (pronounced “Hha-lop-a”) in the northern part of present day Pottsville. He was born there in 1794. Look it up on Wikipedia if you don't believe me. Apparently, Jalappa enjoyed its own independence until 1806. That was the year Pottsville was discovered by John Pott and his band of Conquistadors, Maroons' offensive linesmen and volunteer firemen who quickly annexed iron-rich Jalappa. The natives surrendered without a fight, as they believed John Pott to be the second coming of Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent god. Boy, did they have it all wrong. 
To put all of this into historical perspective for you, Necho Allen, discovered coal in 1790 when he fell asleep at the base of the Broad Mountain after a late night out after playing softball. I am not sure if the fire was started by a carelessly tossed cigarette or not, but when he awoke, anthracite had been ignited for the first time. By the end of the eighteenth century, coal furnaces were springing up all around Schuylkill County. Meanwhile young Santa Anna was swinging at a piñata in his backyard in Jalappa. This charming custom is still as popular today in the coal region as the Margarita. However, young Mister Anna soon got on his skateboard and left the area to further his education south of the border, as Jalappa Elementary was not opened until 1868. The rest is history.
To put all of this into historical perspective for you, Necho Allen, discovered coal in 1790 when he fell asleep at the base of the Broad Mountain after a late night out after playing softball. I am not sure if the fire was started by a carelessly tossed cigarette or not, but when he awoke, anthracite had been ignited for the first time. By the end of the eighteenth century, coal furnaces were springing up all around Schuylkill County. Meanwhile young Santa Anna was swinging at a piñata in his backyard in Jalappa. This charming custom is still as popular today in the coal region as the Margarita. However, young Mister Anna soon got on his skateboard and left the area to further his education south of the border, as Jalappa Elementary was not opened until 1868. The rest is history.
I recently walked down Calle Del Agua (Water Street) but I could find no clues as to his exact birthplace. You think that the Historical Society would have a marker somewhere - a local native who becomes a world famous dictator deserves some recognition, for crying out loud! The AAA travel book indicates that Jalappa is noted as “a summer resort surrounded by beautiful mountains.” I can vouch for the correctness of that opinion and recommend it for a cheap get away in this period when a gallon of gas costs nearly 42 pesos.
Anyway, Jalappa keeps its most famous resident a secret. During my walk, I would stop people on the street and ask, “Estoy buscando el hogar de Santa Anna?” The typical response would be a simple stare, or else people would run away from me yelling, “Este hombre está loco!” Maybe my sombrero scared them, or they are just clueless. I did get to enjoy the centerpiece of this Jalappa Latin culture, which is, of course, the magnificant "Maria, Reina de la Paz" or "Mary Queen of Peace" Church. It is beautiful and well worth a stop on your next visit to Jalappa. It will close very shortly due to the pending Diocese Irishification policy, so you better hurry!
How on earth did this humble Jalappite (or Jalappino, as many of the residents prefer to be called) rise to power to rule the third largest nation in North America? Well, if you see the newest version of the Alamo movie, then you become enlightened. This latest version is much more hip than the old John Wayne version.
It has Billy Bob Thornton as Jiminy Crockett, Jason Patric as David Bowie, Whitney Houston as the first female Texan Governor, old Senor Wences as himself, and Enrique Iglesias as Jalappa’s own badass, General Santa Anna. What more can I say? Better get out to West Coast or Hollywood video and rent it tonight. Pronto!What about any other Spanish or Hispanic influences in the county? Jalappa certainly does not have a monopoly. Well, did you know that Palo Alto is Spanish for “High Wood?” This little Hispanic village, which recently celebrated its 150th anniversary, had been noted for its annual running of the pigs down the appropriately named Calle de Tocino (now anglicized to Bacon Street), but that sport has been replaced with the more terrifying sport of driving one’s car from West Bacon Street onto Route 61- South. Try it some time.
Another enclave is Sacramento, out in the west end. Then, of course, there is Shenandoah. This cosmopolitan metropolis has recently developed a distinct Latin flair. For instance, it is the birthplace of the world famous jalapeno pierogie. Acculturation at its best!
Adios Amigos. ¡Hasta que satisfacemos otra vez! Happy Cinco de Mayo.
2 comments:
As Johnny Carson often said "I did not know that". I do like your assessment of the moves by the Allentown Diocese- Irishification.
If it isn't a word it should be.
BB TROUT World Domination Begins. We need to get the word out - can you start selling bumper stickers?
Post a Comment