Bakersfield.com

All > Local history
Christmas in the Hard Times
Topics: christmas, local history, migrants, immigrants, Dust Bowl, poverty
Posted by citizenjournalist Thu Dec 13, 2007 14:20:14 PST
Viewed 812 times
0 responses 0 comments Christmas is always the most wonderful time of the year and because it is so special, everyone can remember the really great and the not so great Christmases of their lives. I still remember when the Christmas season was made brighter for thousands of destitute families as Bakersfield opened it's heart to the Dustbowl refugees of the 30's.
==============================================================

In our "buy now, pay later", booming economy, it is difficult for todays generation to imagine the poverty and hopelessness felt by the thousands of Dustbowl refugees in and around Bakersfield during the tragic years of "The Great Depression". Everyone should feel deep gratitude for the bountiful times of today after learning of the hardships endured by the people who now make up a great portion of our local population, "The Dustbowl Immigrants" and their desendents.

After the stock market crash of 1929, many banks failed, businesses folded, people by the millions were suddenly out of a job and home, then the dust storms and drought wiped out thousands of farmers in the mid west States of Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas,Colorado and New Mexico.. These displaced Dustbowl families could only head west in search of a new beginning. The San Joaquin Valley was the destination of thousands of these desperate souls.

 As the flood of Dustbowl families took up residence around Kern County, seeking any kind of employment, they were forced to shelter their families in any manner possible as they awaited the crops to mature providing them with a temporary job. In the mid 1930's, more than 5000 immigrant families were striving to exist in Kern County and at that time over 1,000,000 unemployed workers were seeking  work in California and only 800,000 jobs existed. By 1937, 30 percent of the population, Nationwide, had been reduced to poverty level.

The foggy, cold Christmas season in Bakersfield was an especially painfull time of year for those unfortunate, unemployed families who were forced to live in tents along the ditch banks, behind signboards or in a cardboard or tin shack in camps along the Kern River called "Hoovervilles" and Squatters Camps". These displaced families had no other choice until they could find a job or move in with more fortunate relatives. Imagine a family with poorly clothed young children living in one of these makeshift shelters, dirt floors, campfires for heat, no running water, electricity or sanitary facilities. Their little kids wondering if they would receive any kind of Christmas presents, but in reality being grateful to just have enough food during the holiday season.

Kern County had the most benevolent community in the Country in those hard times. Federal , County and City funds furnished tons of food which was distributed through local outlets to these impoverished families. In addition the people of Bakersfield opened their hearts, homes, and pocketbooks to these destitute victims of the drought by donating food, clothing, part time jobs and shelter. Local businesses promoted benefit drives such as three of the local movie theaters making the admission price any can of food, toy or article of clothing then distributing the items  to needy families. Scores of local churches personally delivered food and clothing to the people living in the ditch bank villages.

Many businesses, benevolent organizations and clubs donated presents and attemped to make the holiday season a little happier for the unfortunate souls. As an example, the Bakersfield Elks held a huge yearly Christmas banquet where hundreds of these needy kids  were treated to a turkey feast and afterward Santa handed out thousands of gifts to the dustbowl children, in many instances these were the only Christmas presents the less fortunate kids had ever received.

Fortunately, beginning in November, 1935, The U.S. Government opened the Federal Migratory Camp near Lamont and also one in Marysville. These camps were so successful many others were built in California in which the drought victims could temporarally live until they found steady employment and blended into the local community. For a small fee these Federal camps provided sanitary living conditions for the inhabitants and a tent space including water, electricity and heating oil . Five years later the United States was forced into WW2 and within a short time the national work force was drained as a result of men entering the military. This and the  massive production of war materials quickly provided everyone a job.

                      Copyrighted by George Gilbert Lynch, Dec. 1, 2007

Send to a Friend

Report a Violation