Old Sacramento in Sacramento County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Early Homeless
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, May 24, 2023
1. The Early Homeless Marker
Inscription.
The Early Homeless. . Even after the great national stock panic of 1893 disabled the labor force in America, many events such as the Spanish American War and World War I – temporarily glossed over the plight and discontent of the American working class. Then, the Great Depression of the 1930s opened the condition of the laborer in America to full public view. Because of its railroads and the mild climate, Sacramento became one of the most desirable destinations for unemployed migrants, especially during winter months and harvest seasons. The City shelter located on Front and I Streets could not serve the high number of homeless in the area, who camped wherever they could, setting up shanty towns called “Hoovervilles” throughout the Sacramento region. The core businesses which had been established in the older part of the City moved out, leaving the buildings to an evolving class of migrant laborers. The West End developed into a ghetto for migrant labor forces and others down on their luck. , , Inset Image: , Sacramento Men’s Center, 1930 – from the Sacramento City Parks and Recreation Collection.
Even after the great national stock panic of 1893 disabled the labor force in America, many events such as the Spanish American War and World War I – temporarily glossed over the plight and discontent of the American working class. Then, the Great Depression of the 1930s opened the condition of the laborer in America to full public view. Because of its railroads and the mild climate, Sacramento became one of the most desirable destinations for unemployed migrants, especially during winter months and harvest seasons. The City shelter located on Front and I Streets could not serve the high number of homeless in the area, who camped wherever they could, setting up shanty towns called “Hoovervilles” throughout the Sacramento region. The core businesses which had been established in the older part of the City moved out, leaving the buildings to an evolving class of migrant laborers. The West End developed into a ghetto for migrant labor forces and others down on their luck.
Inset Image: Sacramento Men’s Center, 1930 – from the Sacramento City Parks and Recreation Collection.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events.
Location. 38° 34.906′ N, 121° 30.215′ W. Marker is in Sacramento, California, in
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Sacramento County. It is in Old Sacramento. Marker can be reached from the intersection of K Street and Interstate 5, on the right when traveling east. The metal marker is along the pedestrian walk where K Street extends under the freeway overpass towards downtown. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sacramento CA 95814, United States of America. Touch for directions.
"For this year's Sacramento Archives Crawl, join Sacramento Public Library archivist James Scott for a deep dive into the Capital City's Depression-era Hoovervilles. From Gardenland to Rotten Egg, we'll explore the
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, May 24, 2023
2. The Early Homeless Marker
Right of center.
makeshift existence of the hundreds of souls who, escaping the throes of the Great Depression or the scourge of the Dust Bowl, decided to make a stand in Sacramento."
(Submitted on August 4, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, May 24, 2023
3. Marker Within the Historical Timeline
4. Sacramento Hooverville
5. Sacramento Hooverville
Hooverville, Sacramento, Calif.
A few outdoor standpipes such as this constitute Hooverville’s water supply.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 4, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 58 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 4, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.
