Migration

Migration is a significant theme in the history of the San Joaquin Valley. My own family came north from Mexico in the late nineteenth century because of the influence of the Southern Pacific railroad in shaping labor opportunities for ethnic Mexicans. In the San Joaquin Valley, the "Dust Bowl" migration of "Okies" from Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas transformed life and culture in the valley for decades. Other interstate migrations from the midwest or other parts of the United States to California have also influenced the region.

The sample student collections below showcase some of the historical artifacts left behind within student families that begin to capture the region's diverse migration history.

Photo Collections