Cortez, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cortez
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 Cortez
Location in California
Cortez
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Merced County |
| Elevation | 141 ft (43 m) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1655926 |
Cortez is a small community in Merced County, California. It is an unincorporated community, meaning it does not have its own local government. Cortez is located about 11.5 miles (18.5 km) northwest of Atwater. It sits at an elevation of 141 feet (43 meters) above sea level.
The Story of Cortez: A Community's Beginning
How Cortez Was Founded
Cortez was established in 1919. It was one of several farming communities in California started by Kyutaro Abiko. He was a Japanese immigrant with a big dream. Abiko wanted to help other Japanese immigrants settle in the United States.
Kyutaro Abiko's Vision
Kyutaro Abiko was born in Japan in 1865. He came to America as a student in 1885. Later, he became a successful businessman. He also started a newspaper called Nichibei Shimbun. This newspaper became very important for Japanese Americans. It helped share news and connect new communities.
Abiko believed in helping people own their own land. He worked to create farming colonies where Japanese immigrants could build new lives. Besides Cortez, he also helped found the Yamato Colony in Livingston in 1907 and Cressey in 1918.
Overcoming Challenges: Farming in Cortez
Land Ownership Rules
When Cortez was founded in 1919, there were laws that made it hard for Japanese immigrants to own land. These laws were called the Alien Land Acts. They prevented people who could not become U.S. citizens from owning land or leasing it for more than three years. This was a challenge for many Japanese farmers.
Family Farms and Hard Work
The families in Cortez found a way to work around these laws. Many put the land in the names of their children. These children were called Nisei, meaning they were born in America and were U.S. citizens. This allowed families to keep their farms.
The farmers of Cortez worked very hard. They turned dry, undeveloped land into successful farms. Everyone in the family helped, including the children. This strong family effort was key to making Cortez a thriving agricultural community.
