Locke in Sacramento County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Locke
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 9, 2020
1. Locke Marker
Prior to 1915 this area consisted of four buildings and was part of the Locke Ranch known as "Lockeport". The name was later shortened to Locke. When a 1915 fire consumed the Chinatown District of nearby Walnut Grove, the displaced residents asked the owner of the Locke Ranch for permission to establish their own separate town in Lockeport. Here, on rented land, the Chinese community proceeded to establish a post office, a school, a theater, restaurants, saloons, food markets, dry goods stores, a church, gambling halls, brothels and numerous other businesses. Locke flourished and at one time supported a permanent population of 600 residents plus a thousand seasonal laborers.
A thriving Chinese town in its heyday, Locke residents exhibited a resilient spirit to survive and persevered throughout the twentieth century. Together they withstood the constant threat of fire, floods; the pain of poverty, the bitterness of discrimination; the despair of neglect; and the emptiness of social abandonment.
In 1971 Locke was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and by 1990 Locke was name a National Historic Landmark. In 2005 the County of Sacramento sub-divided Locke and for the first time building owners
this page online
On the 100th anniversary of its founding, Locke stands as a testament to its first residents and continue to embody the extraordinary efforts by generations of Chinese in developing agriculture in California.
Erected 2016 by Native Sons of the Golden West, Elk Grove Parlor #41 and Native Daughters of the Golden West, Liberty Parlor #213 and the Locke Foundation Centennial Committee.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list.
Location. 38° 15.001′ N, 121° 30.565′ W. Marker is in Locke, California, in Sacramento County. Marker is on Main Street near Levee Street, on the left when traveling south. The markers are near the picnic benches. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13959 Main Street, Walnut Grove CA 95690, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Locke, California (within shouting distance of this marker); Locke Memorial Park (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Locke / 樂居镇 (about
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 9, 2020
2. A version of the Locke Marker in Chinese
Also see . . . History of Lockeport: The True Stories of Locke. This is a one of a kind historical site on Locke that will shed light on many subjects that have been ignored or blatantly dismissed over the years. I have done painstaking research for several years now, to provide my readers with an accurate history of Locke. Over time I have found a plethora of historical documents, archived newspaper accounts, records, directories, census records that tells us plenty more about the goings on in this town's colorful past. (Submitted on June 12, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 9, 2020
3. Locke Markers
Photographed By Unknown
4. Locke as it used to be.
Photographed By Arcadia Publishing
5. Locke History
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2020. This page has been viewed 200 times since then and 13 times this year. Last updated on June 15, 2020, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 12, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
