ARVIN FEDERAL CAMPARVIN FEDERAL CAMP

““Weedpatch”Weedpatch”Temporary home of the JoadsTemporary home of the Joads

DUST BOWL: REVIEWDUST BOWL: REVIEW

► Between 1935 and 1940, more than 1 million people left their Between 1935 and 1940, more than 1 million people left their homes in Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri to escape homes in Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri to escape wind, drought, and dust.wind, drought, and dust.

► They traveled Route 66 for California in search of work and a They traveled Route 66 for California in search of work and a better life, where “no one ever went hungry.”better life, where “no one ever went hungry.”

Government responseGovernment response► The Arvin Federal Camp, or The Arvin Federal Camp, or

“Weedpatch,” prepared for “Weedpatch,” prepared for the influx of “Okies.” It is the influx of “Okies.” It is located near Lamont, located near Lamont, California, not far from California, not far from Sacramento.Sacramento.

► The camp was on land The camp was on land leased to the United States leased to the United States Department of Agriculture Department of Agriculture by philanthropist Bertha by philanthropist Bertha Rankin. Its buildings were Rankin. Its buildings were erected by the federal Farm erected by the federal Farm Security Administration.Security Administration.

► Camp included a manager’s Camp included a manager’s house; sanitary units; house; sanitary units; showers; laundry facilities; showers; laundry facilities; spaces for tents.spaces for tents.

““Weedpatch” AppealWeedpatch” Appeal► The migrants sought out The migrants sought out

Weedpatch because it was Weedpatch because it was safe: as soon as they crossed safe: as soon as they crossed California border, they were California border, they were ridiculed, shamed, and ridiculed, shamed, and rejected.rejected.

► Weedpatch was no Weedpatch was no “paradise”: it was clean, “paradise”: it was clean, though, and a vast though, and a vast improvement over the improvement over the squatters’ camps and squatters’ camps and Hoovervilles.Hoovervilles.

► The families were large, and The families were large, and many residents were many residents were children who were regarded children who were regarded by locals as stupid, dirty, and by locals as stupid, dirty, and sub-human. Many attended sub-human. Many attended school bare-footed. school bare-footed.

1936: A key year1936: A key year► In 1936, the camp housed about In 1936, the camp housed about

300 people in one-room tin cabins 300 people in one-room tin cabins and tents. Cost was $1 a week.and tents. Cost was $1 a week.

► That year, a newspaper reporter That year, a newspaper reporter named John Steinbeck, researching named John Steinbeck, researching the plight of the “Okies,” stayed in the plight of the “Okies,” stayed in neighboring Weedpatch.neighboring Weedpatch.

► He gathered material for what He gathered material for what would become would become The Grapes of The Grapes of WrathWrath..

► When “Grapes” became a Pulitzer-When “Grapes” became a Pulitzer-Prize winner and movie rights were Prize winner and movie rights were bought, some scenes were filmed bought, some scenes were filmed at Weedpatch Camp. The original at Weedpatch Camp. The original post office was used in the film as post office was used in the film as the manager’s office.the manager’s office.

► Steinbeck dedicated “Grapes” to Steinbeck dedicated “Grapes” to Weedpatch manager Tom Collins, Weedpatch manager Tom Collins, who affectionately viewed the who affectionately viewed the migrant farmers as “colorful relics migrant farmers as “colorful relics of the nation’s rural past.”of the nation’s rural past.”

1939-’401939-’40► In 1939, newly elected Kern County Superintendent of In 1939, newly elected Kern County Superintendent of

Schools, Leo Hart, took interest in the kids at the camp. He Schools, Leo Hart, took interest in the kids at the camp. He was determined to help them adjust into society.was determined to help them adjust into society.

► Teachers and parents did not want these “Okie” children in Teachers and parents did not want these “Okie” children in the local schools.the local schools.

► In 1940, Hart determined that these children should have In 1940, Hart determined that these children should have their own school: This story is documented in Jerry Stanley’s their own school: This story is documented in Jerry Stanley’s “Children of the Dust Bowl.”“Children of the Dust Bowl.”

Weedpatch LegacyWeedpatch Legacy► The camp eventually became the Sunset Labor Camp; it was taken over in 1958 by Kern The camp eventually became the Sunset Labor Camp; it was taken over in 1958 by Kern

County and deeded to Kern County Housing Authority in 1965.County and deeded to Kern County Housing Authority in 1965.► Wooden-framed buildings have replaced the tin structures and tents; the original post Wooden-framed buildings have replaced the tin structures and tents; the original post

office, library, and community building still stand are being restored.office, library, and community building still stand are being restored.► People who still remember living in Weedpatch return often, saying it is a “cleansing People who still remember living in Weedpatch return often, saying it is a “cleansing

experience” to revisit. Many say they are proud to be “Okies.”experience” to revisit. Many say they are proud to be “Okies.”► In 1996, the key, original structures were placed in the National Register of Historic In 1996, the key, original structures were placed in the National Register of Historic

Places.Places.► It is still used by migrant workers today.It is still used by migrant workers today.► A Dust Bowl festival is scheduled there every year.A Dust Bowl festival is scheduled there every year.

Weedpatch MemoriesWeedpatch Memories

► ““Togetherness and standing Togetherness and standing shoulder to shoulder made shoulder to shoulder made us able to stand when it us able to stand when it would have been easy to would have been easy to give up.”give up.”

► ““We stuck together, went to We stuck together, went to church together, and when church together, and when one of us needed a boost one of us needed a boost we all together rallied and we all together rallied and helped.”helped.” Iva Townson Helm: “Iva’s Iva Townson Helm: “Iva’s

Dust Bowl Memories”Dust Bowl Memories”                                                                                                                                                                               

Weedpatch in “Grapes of Weedpatch in “Grapes of Wrath”Wrath”

► The episode at the dance is The episode at the dance is symbolic of the integrity of symbolic of the integrity of self-governance: a reflection self-governance: a reflection of how much better it is when of how much better it is when power is distributed amongst power is distributed amongst the people.the people.

► ““You’re our own folks. You You’re our own folks. You belong with us. Don’t knife belong with us. Don’t knife your own folks.”your own folks.”

► The episode in with Ruthie’s The episode in with Ruthie’s rude behavior with the other rude behavior with the other children in chapter 22 – where children in chapter 22 – where she is ignored when she she is ignored when she interrupts the game – is interrupts the game – is symbolic of the ultimate symbolic of the ultimate punishment: ostracism from punishment: ostracism from the group.the group.