By SARAH LIM
Special to the Times
Merced County’s cultural richness provides no shortage of languages spoken on the streets, food prepared in restaurants, festivals celebrated throughout the year, and public and private holidays.
We can learn about California’s cultural history through Merced County as it mirrors the regional development and reflects the larger society.
Although early historians tended to overlook the settlements and underreport the contributions of various ethnic groups in our county, our local historical societies and individuals have done a fine job filling in those gaps in recent years. Here are some reading recommendations for those who would like to expand their knowledge of our local history and better understand our unique cultural landscape.
Merced County’s rich history is often manifested in its diverse population. “Japanese Americans of Merced County: A Photographic Journal from 1906 to 1960” and “Black Gold: Faith, Strength, and Determination Shaping Our Community” tell the stories of struggle, endurance, triumph, and celebration of the Japanese American and African American communities, respectively.
Carolyn Wing Greenlee’s “Eternal River: The Early Years,” on the other hand, tells her mother’s story of growing up Chinese American in Merced in the first half of the 20th century.
As Mexican Americans became a majority-minority in Merced, there has been more interest and effort to document their history. At 93, Samme Gallaher Darnall wrote “Captives: Sold for a Horse and Mule,” an inspirational story about her great-grandmother, Lidia Eulalia Majena Hawken. In 1843, Lidia was the sixteen-year-old new bride in Mexico. She was kidnapped from her home and became the wife of a Comanche warrior. As a captive woman, she was rescued by hunters and met her future husband, John Hawken, at Fort Bent, Colorado. They migrated to California in 1852 and raised their children along the Merced River. Hawken owned land on both sides of the river and built a ferry known as Hawkens Ferry. The Stevenson Ranch was next to the Hawken property. After John’s death, Lidia was reunited with her first husband, Ernesto.
Then, there is our friend Charles Mariano, author of “The Whole Enchilada,” “Piece Work,” “Heart and Soil,” “Tio Boogie,” and “Between Here and There.” Charles’ maternal side is rich in Mexican heritage, and his paternal lineage is Filipino. His newest book, “Central Valley Beat,” reflects his unique approach to the music history of the Central Valley. A chance encounter about three years ago led to one of the most remarkable stories the author has ever come across – meeting Rick Rillera and learning about the Rillera Brothers. Along the way are the Righteous Brothers, Los Lobos, Jesse Gonzalez & The Jades, Cheech & Chong, Superheroes, Merced Boxing, movie theaters, and, for good measure, someone named Louie.
All the books mentioned above are available at the Courthouse Museum Gift Shop in downtown Merced; however, the following titles are not available for purchase.
Published in 2009 by the Central Valley FANHS (Filipino American National Historical Society), “Talk Story” is a collection of 36 stories written by its members that pay tribute to their parents and elders for paving the way in America. The stories reveal personal experiences from the early 1900s to the present-day observations of 4th generation Filipino Americans, starting with young Filipino scholars arriving in America around the turn of the 20th century, the contributions of Filipino farm workers and Filipino American soldiers, and the assimilation of American-born Filipinos.
Also out of print is “Grazie America! From Italy to Merced County.” Published by the Merced County Historical Society in 2018, the book is based on the exhibit of the same name that ran from March 16 to August 6, 2017. With the theme of celebrating the contributions of Italian Americans, the exhibit collected personal stories from more than 130 contributors and resulted in the publication of a two-volume book. These heartfelt stories acknowledge the sacrifice that the Italian immigrants made and the important role that they play today in Merced County.
For the other groups that have made Merced County home, a glimpse of their history can be found in “Cooking in Merced County: A Taste of History.” Published in 2004 by the Merced County Historical Society, this cookbook was a wonderful project made possible by the community members who submitted their stories and recipes. The book is organized chronologically and divided into four parts: Native Americans, Pioneering Families, Local Flavors, and A Community Affair.
Since Native Americans are indigenous to Merced County, they predate the birth of the county. Pioneering families are those that founded the county. This part covers the period from 1850 to 1899. As we turn to the 20th century, many ethnic and cultural groups settled in Merced County; thus, the “Local Flavors” section, covering the entire 20th century, is loosely organized by family and ethnic food cultures and eating traditions. The last part is a collection of recipes from businesses, organizations, groups, and religious congregations. In many ways, it is a reflection of our community identity.
Exploring Merced County’s past through food is a delightful and flavorful way to learn our county’s history and heritage. Like the other two, this book is also out of print. You can always check them out at our local library!
So, begin your summer reading with some of these titles.
The Museum Gift Shop is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. It is located at 21st and N streets in downtown Merced.