Guasti

Standing here in 1904, you would see the Guasti Stone Cellar to the south. Many of these workers were migrant and lived in a tent city south of the railroad tracks at Turner Avenue. During World War II, Italian prisoners of war worked in the fields and were welcomed by the village residents as secured through the Bracero program. Wages were a jug of wine a week, and company scrip redeemable at the company store.

Standing here in 1926, you would see San Secondo D'Asti Church to the south. Built in 1926, the church was reminiscent of the 17th century structure Secondo Guasti attended as a young boy in Italy. The church featured thick walls, a hand carved pulpit, an altar made of Italian marble, and a wrought iron tower containing hand forged bells from Italy. The church continues to hold masses, primarily for parishioners outside the community who prefer an older, more traditional mass.

This photo from the 1990's shows Guasti Market after it was closed. Located on the corner of "A" Street (now Old Guasti Road) and Turner Avenue, the grocery store serviced local workers who rented the clapboard houses. Grocery clerks were paid $50.00 per month, and worked ten hour days, seven days a week.

Standing here in the early 1900's, you would see the Guasti Mansion to the south. As the vineyards and wine making facilities expanded and the village grew in importance, Secondo Guasti I deemed it necessary to have a showplace home and office at the village in which to entertain guests and visiting dignitaries. In 1922 Secondo Guasti I commissioned Morgan Walls and Morgan of Los Angeles to design a mission revival style villa in the heart of his town. The mansion cost $110,000 to build, and was built around a central courtyard with an aviary for Secondo Guasti II's exotic bird collection.