| 5. Immigration |
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German
Immigration
Unrest in the German states in the 1800s brought a large
migration of Germanic people to the United States. Many
settled in Santa Clara Valley where they started businesses
and became civic leaders. In the 1880s, Santa Clara had
two breweries, both owned by German immigrants. Eberhard
Tannery, the first manufacturing firm in Santa Clara,
grew into a thriving business under the management of
its
German owner, Jacob Eberhard.
Portuguese
Community
Immigrants from
Portugal, the Azores and Medeira Islands came to California
in the late 1890s. Some first lived in Hawaii where they
worked in sugarcane and pineapple fields. Santa Clara
had mild weather similar to their homeland and they became
successful dairymen and farmers. In 1896, Portuguese immigrants
founded the SES Hall as a center for their close-knit
community. For many years, their annual parade and festival
have attracted large crowds.
Mexican
Culture
Mexico ruled this
area from 1822, when it took control from Spain, until
the end of the Mexican-American War in 1848. Its culture
has always had a significant impact on California life.
The open border and the vigorous agriculture business
attracted Mexican immigrants to the Valley. By 2002, one
out of every 10 residents of Santa Clara was of Mexican
descent.
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| Asian Influences |
| Chinese immigrants came to California to help
build the railroad and stayed to work first on farms and then
in businesses. Japanese immigrants came into the valley to farm.
Asian immigrants have continued to flow into Santa Clara to
work in technology firms as engineers and skilled workers. In
the 2000 census, about one-fourth of all Santa Clara residents
were of Asian descent. |
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