REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director
Planning and Development Department
SUBJECT
Title
Hearing to consider adoption of resolutions related to the designation of properties to the Local Register of Historic Resources and Adoption of findings necessary to support recommendation pursuant to FMC 12-1609
1. ***RESOLUTION - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Fresno, California, designating the site of the Inaugural National Farm Workers Association meeting located at 1405 E California Avenue, Fresno, California to the Local Register of Historic Resources (Council District 3) (Subject to Mayor’s veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
The Historic Preservation Commission recommends that the City Council to designate the site of the Inaugural Meeting of the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) at 1405 E. California as a local Historic Resource.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On behalf of Paul A. Garcia, Ed. D. Center for Leadership, Equity, and Research (CLEAR) an application was filed with the permission of the adjacent property owners to designate the site of the inaugural convention of the National Farm Workers Association at the former location of the Edison Social Club as a local Historic Resource. The structure is no longer standing; however the site will be commemorated with a sign, plaque, or other educational display.
BACKGROUND
The application for nomination was prepared by Paul A. Garcia. Excerpts from the nomination application have been utilized for the preparation of this report.
On September 30, 1962, Cesar Chavez, Gilbert Padilla, and Dolores Huerta gathered about 250 farmworkers in Fresno for the inaugural convention of the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), now the United Farm Workers (UFW). Convention invitations, farmworker delegate credentials, and meeting minutes in the attached presentation clearly indicate the location was the fourth Edison Social Hall at 1405 E. California Street.
It was a daunting struggle to organize laborers who lived in small isolated rural communities, most spoke only Spanish, many were migrant workers, and some lived in labor camps. Many had no transportation. The deliberate and thoughtful manner by which the convention was conducted formed the basis for the Union’s success. Prior to the meeting, Chavez sent invitations to selected farm workers that authorized their participation as delegates. Examination of the sign-in sheet and printed convention roster suggests there were 42 delegates representing 21 communities.
There has never been proper recognition of the site and location of the first NFWA meeting. Perhaps because it was held in a nondescript building in an inconspicuous part of Fresno, with representatives from a largely neglected labor population. The Fresno Bee did not find the meeting newsworthy. The location is often incorrectly described as an abandoned downtown movie theater. However, convention invitations, farmworker delegate credentials, and meeting minutes clearly indicate the location was the Edison Social Hall at 1405 E. California street.
The fourth Edison Social Hall was demolished in August 1973.
The history of the Edison Social Hall was prepared by Historic Preservation Commission Vice Chair James Sponsler.
It was a purpose-built social hall in an uncommon shape, based on the parcel. It was a dual-story industrial block building, covered in plaster with mission revival elements. The main floor was an auditorium. The Edison Social Club rented out their hall to various entities to provide a social gathering and meeting location for groups, parties, and individuals. The 1405 E. California Ave location mentioned in this application was issued permits on October 2, 1936, according to an article published in The Fresno Bee and city of Fresno building permits. The Edison Social Club was demolished by the Fresno Redevelopment Agency in 1973 as part of an urban renewal project as indicated by The Fresno Bee on August 13, 1973.
The Edison Social Club primarily focused on continuing traditions rooted in the history of its members and being a place where everyone could come together and be part of the larger family. Part of its traditions was to make traditional German and Volga German foods. These are found today in its annual club celebrations where club members come and had make German sausage or Bier rocks. The Bier rocks are particularly notable as the recipe is written in Volga German and displayed proudly in their main kitchen. The German word for cabbage is "kohl" whereas the Volga German word is "kölb." Beef in German is "rindfliesch" whereas the Volga German is "fliesch." As being part of the Fresno County's farming community, farming matters were also of importance to the club.
Analysis
To be considered for designation as a local Historic Resource the site must be found by the Commission and Council to meet the following criteria:
SEC. 12-1607. - DESIGNATION CRITERIA.
(a) HISTORIC RESOURCES: Any building, structure, object, or site may be designated as an Historic Resource if it is found by the Commission and council to meet the following criteria:
(1) It has been in existence more than fifty years, and it possesses aspects of integrity to convey its significance based upon location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling or association, and:
(i) It is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; or
(ii) It is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or
(iii) It embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values; or
(iv) It has yielded or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.
(2) It has been in existence less than fifty years, it meets the criteria of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section and is of exceptional importance within the appropriate historical context, local, state, or national.
While the fourth Edison Social Hall no longer stands in situ, the events that occurred in this location are eligible for listing on the local register. The inaugural meeting of the NFWA is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history and it is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past.
The national farmworker movement is over 60 years old. Its genesis can be traced to a pivotable event in mid-March of 1962 when Cesar Chavez resigned from the Community Service Organization (CSO). At their annual convention he proposed a resolution for CSO to organize farmworkers, but the motion failed. Chavez abruptly resigned to start his own organization. Chavez immediately travelled the state of California to determine the pressing needs of farmworkers. Through a brief and simple survey, he asked farmworkers what they preferred in wages, benefits, and working conditions. Chavez drew a map of all the towns between Arvin and Stockton. He estimated there were 86 communities, including farm labor camps. After six months some 80,000 cards were collected from eight Valley counties.
On September 30, 1962, Cesar Chavez, Gilbert Padilla, and Dolores Huerta gathered about 250 farmworkers in Fresno for the inaugural convention of the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), now the United Farm Workers (UFW).
FRESNO MUNICIPAL CODE FINDINGS
Pursuant to 12-1607(a)(1)(i) and (ii), the location 1405 E. California Avenue, Fresno California can be found to be eligible for listing on the local register of Historic Resources.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Not a project pursuant to CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT
No Fiscal Impact
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission recommend to the City Council the designation of the site of the Inaugural Meeting of the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) at 1405 E. California Avenue, Fresno California as a local Historic Resource.
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit A - Application for Listing
Exhibit B - Applicant PowerPoint
Exhibit C - DPR Forms (523a)
Exhibit D - Public Hearing Notice & Noticing Map
Exhibit E - Fresno Municipal Code Findings
Exhibit F - Resolution