It seems such a shame that progress so often tends to wipe away remnants of the past with its frequently rich culture and diverse ethnic heritage. That was the case in downtown Stockton, where construction of the Ort J. Lofthus Crosstown Freeway impacted not only the Filipino community but also those of the Chinese, Japanese, Hispanic, and other minority groups. It’s fortunate that some folks like Dr. Dawn Mabalon are working to keep the memories alive and to pass them on to future generations. This episode of California’s Gold, originally aired in August 2003, was my very first introduction to the Filipino culture of California’s Central Valley, but these days the educational resources are much easier to find online.

Huell travels to Little Manila in Stockton — a recent addition to the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places list — to learn about its rich Filipino heritage.

(Click on the linked image below to see the video.)