Museum dedicates new exhibit celebrating Mexican Hour

An iconic radio show that ran for more than 40 years was honored with an exhibition dedication at Bullion Plaza Cultural Center and Museum. La Hora Mexicana (The Mexican Hour) was founded by Pete Oviedo, who was on the air broadcasting music, local news, baptisms, birthdays, and more until his retirement in 1979. He was often assisted by his wife Eliza “Leecha” Oviedo, who helped with taking song requests, writing his notes, and playing the records. 

The KIKO Radio & La Hora Mexicana Exhibition Dedication took place Oct. 3 at 11 a.m. and featured Pete’s daughter, Alice Oviedo Silva, as the special guest. Silva flew in from North Carolina for the occasion. “Our family is so grateful for this honor,” she said. Her father passed away in 1986 and she expressed gratitude to the organizers of the exhibit and event, “My dad is gone but he will never be forgotten. Thank you for this wonderful exhibit that will be at Bullion Plaza Cultural Center and Museum for a long time. This is indeed an honor for the family and for him.” 

A lot of family members came to town for the occasion and some are still living here, “We’re so happy that this is happening.” She said La Hora Mexicana was a true labor of love for their family. She added, “I have fond memories of that time. My dad worked at the radio station, he worked at the mine, and in the evenings he was a salesman - selling siding for homes and propane for Matlock.”

The family was able to spend time touring the town and spending time at Bullion. Silva said they also went to Guayo’s El Rey the day they flew in, “It’s so good to come back and have good Mexican food.” 

The display in the broadcasting studio at Bullion features a banner of Pete, with sombreros and a guitar on the wall around him. It’s all hanging above a decorated desk with family photos that are there in Pete’s memory. The display will eventually be moved to its permanent home in the Mexican cultural area of the museum. 

Because La Hora Mexicana played such a huge role in local history, it was revived this past June. It airs on Bullion Plaza Radio every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Locals Jose Sanchez and Luis Jose Rodriguez, along with Lori Rodriguez as director, and Phil Stewart as Bullion Plaza director, have continued the tradition and the show can be heard online at www.bullionplazamuseum.org – just scroll down to Click to Listen, or listen on the Live365 app. 

The music of old artists is still played, along with new music and local information. The morning program features some of Pete’s traditions - beginning with La Marcha de Zacatecas and closing with La Mariquita. 

Also honored at the Saturday dedication was Dr. Christine Marin. She was inducted into the Rose Mofford Legacy League “in recognition of her lifelong work preserving the stories of our lives and the voices that shaped Arizona” as stated in a press release from the Globe High School Alumni Association. 

Marin is a GHS graduate who devoted herself to preserving the history of the people who built Globe, Miami, and Arizona. As an Arizona State University professor emeritus, Marin spent decades documenting the experiences of Arizona communities and ensuring that women, immigrants, and laborers are seen, heard, and remembered.  She serves on the boards of the Arizona Women’s Hall of Fame and the GHS Alumni Association as their Humanities Scholar, and is a part of the Tempe History Society. 

Aurelie Flores, chairperson of the GHS Alumni Association, said the Rose Mofford Legacy League is a committee of alumni who are dedicated to preserving Rose’s history and recognizing people who emulate her values. Those values are represented by R.O.S.E.: Resilience, Optimism, Service, and Empathy.”