A People’s History of the Inland Empire Digital Archive

Items

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  Rafael Gonzalez, 1943

  Rafael Gonzalez is pictured here at Cone Camp in 1943. Gonzalez was recruited from Mexico City as part of the United States - Mexico Bracero labor program during World War II. "Coney Camp" as it was known to the local Mexican population, was a former jail and Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) training center located on the banks of the Santa Ana River in East Highlands. Converted to house Mexican laborers, the facility held up to 1,500 men at a time. Despite federal mandates for reasonable living conditions, wages, and medical care many braceros like those living in Cone Camp lived in wooden barracks and sometimes in tents where the men endured severe winter weather and extreme heat in the summer. The Bracero Program officially ended in 1964.
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  Andres & Reyna Garcia Tape 1

  1997 Interview with Andres & Reyna Garcia. Andres Garcia discusses his experience working in Redlands California under the Bracero Program. He discusses discrimination as well as financial challenges under the Cone Camp employers. Claims to have been the first Bracero to become a foreman.
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  Rafael Gonzalez, 1943

  Rafael Gonzalez is pictured here at Cone Camp in 1943. Gonzalez was recruited from Mexico City as part of the United States - Mexico Bracero labor program during World War II. "Coney Camp" as it was known to the local Mexican population, was a former jail and Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) training center located on the banks of the Santa Ana River in East Highlands. Converted to house Mexican laborers, the facility held up to 1,500 men at a time. Despite federal mandates for reasonable living conditions, wages, and medical care many braceros like those living in Cone Camp lived in wooden barracks and sometimes in tents where the men endured severe winter weather and extreme heat in the summer. The Bracero Program officially ended in 1964.
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  Richard Rubio Interview

  Richard Rubio discusses his family history and upbringing; his grandparents were displaced by the Mexican Revolution and fled to the United States. From there, they became involved with the citrus industry from a more administrative level, given their upper-class Mexican background and coinciding education. He discusses numerous odd-end jobs his family pursued throughout mainly California, while occasionally touching upon the controversial politics surrounding the Bracero Program of the 1930s. Rubio's interview provides a good description of the Bracero camp amenities, rules, varying conditions or camps around California, and the apparel of those arriving at the camp.
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  Amado & Jose Casillas Interview (Spanish)

  2000 interview with Amado & Jose Casillas. Mr. Amado Casillas and his son Jose Casillas who translate discuss coming to the US under the bracero program in 1956. Amado retells his experience in the program, the employee living conditions as well as social discrimination he faced.
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  Rafael Gonzalez with daughter Melinda

  Black and white image of Rafael Gonzalez sitting on the lawn with his daughter Melinda on his lap in the early 1950s. Rafael Gonzalez apprenticed as a shoemaker in Mexico before coming to the United States as a Bracero in 1942. Gonzalez dreamed of returning home and establishing a business but was delayed during the war and was among a group of Braceros stranded in San Bernardino without a contract or transportation home. Later, Gonzales met Eunice Romero while working for her father, Jacinto Romero, at Fairbanks Ranch.
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  Eunice and Rafael Gonzalez with grandaughter Bianca

  Color image of Eunice and Rafael Gonzalez holding Bianca, their granddaughter, at their home on Ohio Street in the 1970s. Rafael Gonzalez apprenticed as a shoemaker in Mexico before coming to the United States as a Bracero in 1942. Gonzalez dreamed of returning home and establishing a business but was delayed during the war and was among a group of Braceros stranded in San Bernardino without a contract or transportation home. Later, Gonzales met Eunice Romero while working for her father, Jacinto Romero, at Fairbanks Ranch.
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  Suzie Medina and Melba Scott Oral History

  Longtime Eastside Riverside residents Suzie Medina and Melba Scott discuss their life experiences growing up in the Eastside community and its changing nature today. They begin by first detailing their family histories of moving to Eastside before discussing school degradation in Riverside public schools and the Freedom Schools they attended as children. They discuss the racism and discrimination they experienced during this time, but highlight the strong multiracial community support and solidarity networks that Eastside experienced. Later on they detail the changes that took place in the Eastside community, with many new residents moving in without connection to the community and its support system, in addition to the growth of gang activity. Further, they discuss the failures of nonprofits and other outside organizations to support the Eastside in their refusal to listen to resident needs. They also highlight the role of Lincoln Park as a central Eastside community site for celebrations and activities throughout the oral history. They discuss Eastside locations such as the Eastside bungalows, Hollows and Green Hollows, and March Air Force base’s and other industries’ roles in the area. In closing, they conclude by sharing stories of racial segregation and discrimination at Riverside’s Mission Inn.
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  Ernest "Jimmy" Medina Interview

  Ernest "Jimmy" Medina discusses his life growing up in the Inland Empire. Additionally, he discussed his father's involvement in the bracero program and the citrus industry.
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  Rafael Gonzalez with daughter Melinda

  Black and white image of Rafael Gonzalez sitting on the lawn with his daughter Melinda on his lap in the early 1950s. Rafael Gonzalez apprenticed as a shoemaker in Mexico before coming to the United States as a Bracero in 1942. Gonzalez dreamed of returning home and establishing a business but was delayed during the war and was among a group of Braceros stranded in San Bernardino without a contract or transportation home. Later, Gonzales met Eunice Romero while working for her father, Jacinto Romero, at Fairbanks Ranch.
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  Eunice and Rafael Gonzalez with grandaughter Bianca

  Color image of Eunice and Rafael Gonzalez holding Bianca, their granddaughter, at their home on Ohio Street in the 1970s. Rafael Gonzalez apprenticed as a shoemaker in Mexico before coming to the United States as a Bracero in 1942. Gonzalez dreamed of returning home and establishing a business but was delayed during the war and was among a group of Braceros stranded in San Bernardino without a contract or transportation home. Later, Gonzales met Eunice Romero while working for her father, Jacinto Romero, at Fairbanks Ranch.
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  Lupe R. Yglecias & Margaret Castro interview

  Interview Lupe R. Yglesias & Margaret Castro focusing on their childhood upbringing, the various types of labor their family were engaged with, and their educational progress and social mobility spanning across multiple generations.
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  Rafael Gonzales Interview

  1992 remastered interview with Rafael V. Gonzales, note: audio is of poor quality, the transcript contains many blanks due to this. Rafael Gonzales begins by discussing his work as a cobbler as well as his life growing up in Mexico City. In 1940 he immigrated to the U.S. first arriving first in Arizona and then in Montana where he worked as a bracero before picking oranges in Redlands. He discusses what it was like to work in the citrus industry and his decision to stay in the U.S. rather than return to Mexico.
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  Eunice Romero Gonzales Interview

  1994 interview with Eunice Romero Gonzales. Eunice details her early years growing up in the Redland's citrus ranching industry, and the changes that occurred after the War and the Bracero Program. Part B discusses Education in Redlands and Racial discrimination as well as Eunice's adult life employment.
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  Blythe Story Share Reel 63

  Pete Reyes, Maria Caldera, and Gilbert Carmouche share their stories about living in Blythe and particularly the Mexican history in the region. They are interviewed by Antonio Vasquez while Alfredo Figueroa prompts conversation. Reyes, Caldera, and Carmouche discuss the Bracero Program, Americanization Schools, Repatriation of the Brotherhood Club, Unions as well as family histories. Maria for instance recalls her early life in Blythe living in tents and her memories of what she calls the "Great Tamale Raid."
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  Carmelo Tepezano, Dr. Tobey, Lee August Interview

  Carmelo Tepezano describes his and his family's history in the Citrus industry working at Rancho Sespe. Discusses the Bracero Program, Japanese workers, his time in the army, and racial discrimination at Rancho Sespe.
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  Epimenio Robles

  Epimenio Robles recounts his experience as a Mexican immigrant. He discusses his experience in the Bracero Program, struggles in labor, construction of the I-10 freeway, and discrimination in the citrus industry in Redlands, California.
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  Simona Valero Interview

  Simona Valero has been part of the Casa Blanca Community for decades since she was a little girl until much later into her life. She lived in Casa Blanca with her parents and family member during the boom of citrus in Southern California. She and her husband John met as a result of the bracero program that allowed John to come and work in the United States. She dedicated much of her life to the development of much of Casa Blanca’s culture and social programs. Not only was she part of Casa Blanca’s development but she also experienced many of the effects of citrus work during that time like many of Casa Blanca. Simona discusses the various cultures, religions, and people that were apart of Casa Blanca since her time as part of the community. Simona also provides various anecdotes of family events and experiences that made her who she is to this day.
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  Gary Lemos and Lupe Perez Interview

  The interviewee goes into great depth and detail describing the nature of mid-twentieth-century American citrus industry practices and culture in Southern California among primarily Mexican immigrant communities (Filipinos are occasionally mentioned). He describes what it meant to be a child laborer (termed ratas) experiencing discrimination, and political impacts on the citrus industry over time. There is also an emphasis on resilience and making the best out of less than optimal situations, such as remaining steadfast in obtaining an education while simultaneously facing the ongoing threat of deportation.
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  Manuel Reynosa Interview

  1997 interview with road layer Manuel Reynosa and his wife Patricia Reynosa. The interview begins with a discussion of Reynosa's family history including immigration from Silao in Guanajuato and building a home in Colton, CA. The Reynosas discuss Manuel's stepfather, Elvenjez Nuñez's work selling fertilizer and magazines from Mexico for extra money, working in agriculture with citrus and walnuts, and working on the canals in Riverside. During the depression, Manuel's first job was picking mustard plants out of the alfalfa fields in Cooley Ranch for 25 cents a day, then putting fertilizer on orange groves, irrigating and picking oranges in Highgrove, Agua Mansa, and Bryn Mawr. After WWII Manuel worked laying roads in San Bernardino and at a winery in Colton, construction, and irrigating for Western Fruit Growers. Patricia Reynosa discusses some of the local organizations they were involved in including the Progrestista and the Feminil which started in 1970 and was still in existence at the time of the interview. Patricia also discusses her work at Norton Airforce Base. At the conclusion of the interview, they discuss the 1938 flood and other floods in the region.
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  Aurelia Ruiz Reyes Interview

  1994 interview with Aurelia Reyes. Aurelia discusses her life growing up in Redlands, California, and how the city has since changed, including the topics of discrimination, education, citrus, and local businesses.
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  Joe Howard Herrera Interview

  1994 interview with Joe Howard Herrera on his citrus work, including the "girdling" process, his WWII drafting experience, experiencing segregation and discrimination, and how the Mayor of Redlands stood up against it. He lived most of his life in Redlands.
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  Graziano Gomez Interview

  1995 interview with Graziano Gomez as he speaks of his family migration, military service, and co-founding the American Legion 650 chapter with other Mexican American Veterans of WWII.
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  Prudence "Lencha" Gonzales Interview

  One of the earliest interviews conducted for this project was done on a rainy Valentine’s day in 1995 with Prudence Gonzales.  Mrs. Gonzales or ‘Lencha’ as she was known to countless friends, neighbors, and relatives was a native of Redlands and at 92 the oldest woman interviewed for this project to date.  Our conversation dealt mostly with her youth and early Redlands.  A self-professed tomboy, Lencha worked with animals and frequently drove a wagon for her uncle’s manure business.  Her observations on married life are also unique to this series. Born a generation earlier than most of the women interviewed for the project who generally worked outside of the home and reflect less on home life and personal relationships, her story is compelling for its depth and strength in these areas. Her keen memory, wit, and directness shine through in this far too short conversation. Mrs. Gonzales’ son Joe and daughter-in-law Irene were present during parts of a 90-minute interview conducted at their Webster Street home.  Joe Gonzales was also interviewed the same day, his comments are included in a separate volume of this series.
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  Robert (Bob) Garcia Interview

  1995 interview with Bob Garcia on his upbringing, citrus and farm labor, and becoming a foreman.