Day 133: Locke Historic District, Sacramento, California
📌APIA Every Day (133) - The Locke Historic District, located in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in Sacramento County, California, is a key historical site representing rural, agricultural Chinese American communities. Established in 1915 by Chinese immigrants from Heungshan County (now Zhongshan), Guangdong Province, China, Locke was built following a fire that destroyed the Chinese section of Walnut Grove [see Day 73]. The town was established on land leased from George Locke because California's Alien Land Law of 1913 prohibited non-citizens from owning land. This lease allowed Chinese residents to construct buildings but not to own the land itself.
Chinese immigration to the U.S. increased significantly during the 19th century due to factors such as the California Gold Rush, the Taiping Rebellion, and the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad. After the railroad's completion in 1869, many Chinese laborers moved to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to work on levee projects, utilizing their expertise in farming river valleys. This labor transformed swampy lands into valuable agricultural areas, creating demand for manual labor and leading many Chinese workers to settle in towns like Locke, Walnut Grove, Isleton, and Rio Vista.
Locke grew as a vibrant community with homes, businesses, and recreational facilities catering to Chinese laborers and the local workforce. However, the town's population and economic activity declined during the Great Depression and with the mechanization of agriculture. The end of Prohibition and changes in the agricultural industry further reduced the town's vitality. In 1977, the town was sold to a Hong Kong development company, and in 1990, it was designated a National Historic Landmark. The Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency acquired Locke in 2002, and ongoing preservation efforts aim to maintain its historical buildings and legacy.
LEARN MORE:
National Park Service: Locke Historic-District
Visit CA Delta: Locke Historic District
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