By Rachael Fleming
San Joaquin County has served as an attractive place for many migrants and immigrants to settle. The first modern mass population influx was due to California’s Gold Rush and this area’s proximity to not only the gold mines but the supply city of San Francisco.
When the Gold Rush faded many of the 49ers stayed in San Joaquin County due to the rich agriculture possibilities of the region. It is for this reason that in the 1930s many migrants displaced by the Great Depression and Dust Bowl fled the mid-west states for California.
However, other communities were also drawn to San Joaquin County, and more specifically Stockton, for the opportunities in agriculture; for example, the Filipino community who due to racism and discriminatory laws created their own community in Stockton. Similar to other ostracized groups, they established their own businesses and meeting areas in what came to be known as Little Manila. This area grew in to not only the largest Filipino-American community but also the largest outside of the Philippines at that time.
Through this community the workers were able to organize unions and fight for better conditions for agricultural workers. Filipino labor leader Larry Itliong, leader of the United Farm Workers Union, also called Little Manila home and helped organize the Asparagus Strike. This was the first major agriculture strike after World War II.
Most of the community at this time was made up of young men. Places like the Rizal Social Club developed, allowing them to dance with both Mexican and white women. Though technically illegal at the time due to anti-miscegenation laws (laws enforcing racial segregation), bribes went a long way, as in prohibition times.
So, what has become of Little Manila? The El Dorado off-ramp was constructed right next to the neighborhood causing many of the original businesses to be torn down and replaced with modern fast food chains. The destruction became so bad that Little Manila was named one of the 11 most endangered historical places in the nation in 2003 by the National Trust for Historical Preservation. However, not all is lost.
The Little Manila Foundation, a local non-profit group, was formed to protect the district. They worked on preserving three remaining buildings and put up signs identifying the area. From their efforts the area is now a designated historical site. Now they are working to create a museum and restore the protected buildings. To learn more about their efforts or get involved check out their website, LittleManila.org.