The Great Depression

Chinatown was very poor, but it was relocated sort of...

1930s - union station 24 hour notice to local chinatown residents to vacate before demolition began for union station.

Olvera Street was “re-created” as a historical recreation of a Mexican marketplace...the Avila Adobe was condemmed and was abotu to be demolished….something of a bad ? stereotype.

Plaza evolves as a politcal staging area during the Depression.

1932 Siqueros Mural commissioned on Olvera Street...was whitewashed because it was interpreted as too harsh a criticism of American role in imperialsm, etc. over Latin America….restored in the 1970s.

1931 ...Long Beach Port opens… Pacific Fleet moves to LB.

1933 Large Earthquake...extensive damage, especially in LB>

..workers at a disadvantnage

1934 big strike … all of West Coast… then there were scabs and violence and police support for business community… but the longshoreman’s union got stronger in the long run.

1937 Federal funded breakwater completed.

Cabrillo Beach?? During depression… popular place…

“Bare ass beach”..a nearby area where poor mexican would swim...moslty kids.

San Pedro was rough and rowdy - bars, bordellos, gambling…

Fascinating, heart-warming transition of people from all over Europe and Asia and Latin America become Americans.

Japanese fishermen dominated terminal island...3000 or more...good money. Japanese were very good. Mackerell and Sardines.