By Aiko Hill
Looking Back, Moving Forward
Los Altos has always been home to a diverse population. In 1910 the majority of Los Altos immigrants came from Canada and England, but there were also many Germans, Irish and Japanese.
There was just one Japanese family in Los Altos in 1910. Although the Japanese made up the largest ethnic group with 22 percent of the immigrant population, the rest of the local Japanese were single men who worked as servants, gardeners and cooks. By 1920 the family status of these workers had changed dramatically, and Japanese farmers had become a major presence in the Valley.
In fact, by 1920 the Japanese were easily the largest immigrant group, followed by the English, Germans and Canadians. During that time Los Altos was also home to an Eskimo Indian from Alaska, who worked as a farm laborer.
The population diversity continued to increase. Although the Native and African American populations were low (two and three individuals, respectively), our citizenry represented nearly every major Asian and European country. There were immigrants from Italy, Portugal and China. Each of these groups tended to be associated with a particular industry or line of employment.
The southern European population, while present, was small. Most of their countrymen lived closer to the canneries in San Jose and San Francisco. Those in Los Altos tended to be associated with the many vineyards and orchards in the area.
What is interesting is that while the Japanese immigrants had become quite successful, state land legislation worked against them. It was very difficult for them to own land. As a result, most of the Japanese farmers began as fruit pickers, then organized under a central leader and later leased land themselves.
The southern Europeans followed a similar pattern but used their strong family structures as the means to their success.
Like immigrants in other parts of the country during that period, those in Los Altos faced many economic and cultural hardships, yet by joining together, they frequently achieved extraordinary success and were key contributors to the growth of our village.
We should take pride in the diversity of our town. Diversity has been a part of Los Altos from the start.
Send comments and suggestions to aikohill@aol.com.
