Segregation in California farm towns, when did it end? (Mexican, 70's, Spanish)

[Williamhbonney]

I have a friend who spent some time in California farm areas in 1969-1970. I think towns he mentioned were Stockton, Bakersfield, maybe Modesto (?).

He said there were still segregated public places like restaurants. How much longer did that continue into the 1970's in those towns?

And was it directed more at migrant workers than blacks?

[Hemlock140]

I don't remember hearing about that. In 1972-75 I was in college and working at a liquor store in the Decoto District of Union City, CA. That area had acreage planted in flowers, with many migrant workers. I got the job because I had learned Spanish, and it was required to communicate with 95% of the customers. It was also starting to gentrify, with new apartments and condos being built, and Whites moving in. There was no segregation as far as public places, but there were all-Mexican neighborhoods, some mixed, and some all-White.

[arr430]

This is the first I ever heard about it. I lived in Watsonville, pop. 8,000. near Salinas. A year later i was a student at nearby Monterey Juco, dated black girls, mostly Fort Ord army kids. No segregation I ever heard about.

In 1962 the TV station in San Jose had live Bandstand-type record-hop show after school, with a different HS invited each day, and the dancers were all dreamily shuffling to Bobby Vee in their penny-loafers, but everyone looked forward to Seaside's turn, when a busload of black army brats would really be gettin' it on.