Little Manila, Stockton, California facts for kids

Little Manila is a historic area in Stockton, California. From the 1930s onwards, it was home to many Filipino American farm workers. These workers came to California to find jobs in farming.

History of Little Manila

Why Filipinos Came to Stockton

Many young Filipino men came to California's Central Valley looking for farm jobs. They settled in Stockton. Back then, there were unfair rules and racism that made it hard for these men to achieve their dreams. They couldn't easily get a good education, start families, or earn more money. They were even stopped from going into certain parts of the city.

Building Their Own Community

Because of these challenges, these Filipino American pioneers built their own community. It was located south of Main Street in Stockton. They opened many businesses and groups to help each other. These included restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, and barber shops. They also created social clubs like the Rizal Social Club and the Daguhoy Lodge. This is how Stockton's Little Manila grew into a lively community.

Fighting for Fair Rights

The "Manongs," as they were lovingly called, were respected elder brothers in the community. They bravely fought for better working conditions in the fields. They also demanded fair wages and equal rights for everyone. Their efforts made life much easier for future generations of Filipino Americans. These men formed labor unions and successfully went on strikes against unfair farm owners.

Many important Filipino labor leaders worked out of Stockton. These included Larry Itliong, Andy Imutan, Chris Mensalvas, Ernesto Mangaoang, Carlos Bulosan, and Philip Vera Cruz. Important union meetings were held at the Mariposa Hotel. Mensalvas and Mangaoang led a major asparagus strike in 1939, which they won. Until World War II, Filipino Americans were the main farm workers in the area. These brave workers and leaders were key to the success of the UFW and its famous leader, Cesar Chavez.

Challenges and Changes After World War II

Life was very tough for Filipinos in America during those early days, especially during the Great Depression. This was a time when the economy was very bad, and there was a lot of unfair treatment based on race. Few Filipino women came to the U.S. at that time. Also, there were unfair laws that stopped men of color from marrying white women. This meant many Manongs had to stay single for most of their lives. A small number managed to marry white or Mexican women by traveling to other states like Colorado or Texas, but it was very risky.

During World War II, people's opinions about Filipinos changed. Filipinos fought bravely alongside Americans in the Philippines and the U.S. Two all-Filipino U.S. Army groups were highly honored for their courage. After the war, laws changed. Many Manongs were finally able to marry and bring their wives to the U.S. They started families later in life. Their children, a new generation of Filipino Americans, often learned about their fathers' brave struggles only when they studied Filipino-American history in college.

By 1946, Stockton's Little Manila had grown into the largest Filipino community in the entire United States.

The Community Faces Challenges

In the 1950s and 1960s, big parts of Little Manila were torn down by the city. This was done to "improve" downtown Stockton. A new freeway and some fast-food places replaced many Filipino homes and businesses. This greatly disrupted the community's life. The freeway, known as the Crosstown Freeway, was built in the early 1970s. The community strongly opposed it, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

The Filipino Plaza

Despite these challenges, the Filipino-American community worked together like never before. They raised money to build the Filipino Plaza, which was finished in 1972. Today, the Filipino Plaza is home to families who were displaced. It also has some businesses and hosts the Barrio Fiesta, a yearly Filipino cultural event in mid-August.

Little Manila Today

Preserving History

Today, the Little Manila Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Stockton, is working hard. Their goal is to save and restore the last remaining buildings of the once-lively Little Manila district. Thanks to the efforts of groups like Stockton FANHS and new Filipino-American leaders, important buildings are being recognized. These leaders include Dr. Dawn B. Mabalon, a history professor at San Francisco State University, and filmmaker Dillon Delvo. Both are children of Manongs. Because of their work, the Mariposa Hotel, the Rizal Social Club, the Filipino Recreation Center, and the entire Little Manila District were named among the nation's most endangered historic places in 2003 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Virtual Little Manila

A project called "Little Manila Virtually Recreated" was completed at the University of the Pacific (United States). This project used virtual reality to bring the historic Little Manila neighborhood back to life in a digital world.