Monterey in Monterey County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Filipino Community

Historic Cannery Row

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, April 23, 2012

1. The Filipino Community Marker

Inscription. Filipinos were attracted in large numbers to California after the 1924 Immigration Act excluded Japanese, who had been the major part of the state’s agricultural labor force. By 1930, as many as 35,000 Pinoys – young, single, male Filipino laborers – were working in California’s fields, hotels, restaurants and private homes. During World War II, a number of Filipinos from the island of Luzon, north of Manila, worked in the canneries and reductions plants.

When Filipino laborers weren’t operating screw-cookers, rotary kilns or grinders, they might be found playing cards with friends or socializing in one of the Monterey Chinatown flower-dancing clubs. The Salinas-based newspaper Philppines Mail reported on the life in the large Filipino community.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Asian Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.

Location. 36° 37.021′ N, 121° 54.098′ W. Marker is in Monterey, California, in Monterey County. It can be reached from Bruce Ariss Way near Recreation Trail. This marker, with several others, is located on Bruce Ariss Way, a walking path/stairway, between Cannery Row and the Monterey Recreation Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Monterey CA 93940, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Central Coast

and specifically on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking

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distance of this marker: The Japanese Community (a few steps from this marker); John Steinbeck (a few steps from this marker); The Spanish Community (a few steps from this marker); A Day in the Canneries (a few steps from this marker); The Real “Docs” (within shouting distance of this marker); One Man, Two Worlds (within shouting distance of this marker); Jone Quock Mui (within shouting distance of this marker); Ed Ricketts’s Backyard (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Monterey.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, April 23, 2012

2. The Filipino Community Marker

The marker is on the left side of the closest building.

Restored Worker's Cabins image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, April 23, 2012

3. Restored Worker's Cabins

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,863 times since then and 80 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 6, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.