February 1, 2026

A Message from the President

Dear Members, Supporters, and Friends of the FCCHS,

As January whizzed by with blizzards across most of our nation and our old friend, the Tule fog, proved an unwelcomed guest who never seemed to know when their welcome was worn out, we at your FCCHS have been wading through (or running from…just kidding) a tsunami of wonderful projects and gatherings, with more and more, even some new ones, scheduled throughout this eventful year. There will truly be something happening for everyone, which makes this the ideal time to support the Society by joining and/or renewing your membership. We could really use the support!

I won’t give everything away because The Grapevine will definitely keep you up-to-date each month but I want to point out that we are nearly sold out for Moonlight Mahjong, taking place on Saturday, February 7th at The Archive on Kern, our gorgeous building downtown. Beginners are encouraged to learn this traditional Chinese game while experienced players will be able to start their tables straight away. With Chinese New Year officially greeting the Year of the Horse on February 17th, this is a perfect way to “get moving forward” which is our equine friend’s motto for the next 12 months. 

On January 24th, we, along with FCCHS’s partners, the Chinese American Museum Project (CAMP) were thrilled to host over 150 guests at AOK for the screening of the 2026 Chinese Oral Histories – making a total thus far of a dozen stories collected, just from people of Chinese descent – some first generation immigrants from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, and others born and raised in Fresno’s Chinatown. These are all available to view at The Archive on Kern (more on when we will be open below) and eventually will be on our website, valleyhistory.org, where they will join FCCHS’s increasingly broad compilation of Sharing Our Heritage, interviews made possible by grants from the Expanded Access to Arts & Culture – commonly known as Measure P. When I say these collections are invaluable and irreplaceable, that is no exaggeration at all. This is simply one reason the Society has incorporated “Capturing Our Present” into our ongoing mission of “Preserving Our Past,” not only for the generations yet to come, but for those living in this diverse region we call home NOW. We truly know you are “Making History Every Day” and the FCCHS intends to document as much as possible AS IT HAPPENS. 

Onto another exciting topic…thanks to the County of Fresno’s acquisition and sharing of ARPA funds, Kearney Mansion is finally getting a bit of a facelift – yes, we have been talking about this for a while. From mid-February through mid-April, the regal gal will be closed for renovation with operations shifting to The Archive on Kern, where I, once again, must tease the new tours…

In researching much of the Mansion’s reconstruction, I thought it would be interesting to share how the progression of her refurbishment came to be. 

“I am very proud of the state and county that have been my home for thirty-five years. . .. Kearney avenue and Kearney park will be living things of beauty centuries hence that will keep my name and memory green…” 
M. Theo Kearney, Fresno Morning Republican, January 1904 

What remains of the estate and ranch of M. Theo Kearney is now one of Fresno County’s most important agricultural historic sites and includes: 

• 11-mile-long Kearney Boulevard 

• 225-acre Kearney Park 

• Five original structures: Superintendent’s Lodge, Servants’ Quarters, Carriage House, Ice House, and Tea House.

The site lends itself to telling the story of the colony farm system and the development of the raisin industry. The story of the development of agribusiness in California’s San Joaquin Valley and the Valley’s transformation into the most productive agricultural region in the world can also be explored at the site of the Kearney estate. The Fresno Historical Society’s relationship with the site began in 1962, twelve years after the County of Fresno began operating the Kearney estate grounds as a public park. In July 1962, the Society’s President, Edwin Eaton, announced that the organization would begin partnering with Fresno County to care for the Kearney site. 

Specifically, the Society would take on the administration of the Kearney Superintendent’s Lodge as a historic site museum, known as Kearney Mansion Museum, as well as assume responsibility for the Servants’ Quarters, Carriage House and Ice House. 

The first years of administration saw the Society establish its headquarters in the Servants’ Quarters and begin the work of restoring the Superintendent’s Lodge to reflect the Kearney era. M. Theo Kearney inhabited the Lodge from its completion in 1903 until his death in 1906, and by 1962 many of the original artifacts from the house were missing. 

Thanks to the generosity of many, a substantial number of the original pieces that Kearney purchased for the Lodge were located in the 1960s and today the site features over 70% of its original furnishings and décor. 

By the late 1960s, the museum’s school education program was established, and the first public events were being staged. 

During the next two decades, the Historical Society partnered with the County of Fresno on two major State-funded preservation grants that transformed the Lodge. 

An exterior restoration project accomplished structural repairs and returned the building’s exterior to its original light gray color. 

In the mid-1980s, work commenced on interior spaces of the Lodge and included replicating three wallpapers and conserving original ones, restoring all painted surfaces to their original finishes, as well as replicating the main carpet in the house, the Entry Hall’s grape cluster chandelier globes, and the Jacobean Quatrefoil anaglypta ceiling. 

When the official ceremonies to reopen the museum were held in March 1986, reproduction carpets in the Reception and Dining Rooms, funded by the Society’s La Paloma Guild, also made their debut. 

Other significant projects were completed throughout the 1990s. Again, State monies received through Fresno County funded the installation of a temperature control system in the Servant’s Quarters and the Superintendent’s Lodge. 

In addition, the Historical Society took on the refurbishing of the Carriage House which included restoring the exterior and renovating the interior into a multi-purpose education center. This project was completed through the generosity of Valley families and community businesses. 

Over the following ten years, funding received through the Fresno County Community Block Grant program enabled new roofs to be installed on the Superintendent’s Lodge, the Servants’ Quarters and the Ice House. The restoration of the Ice House also included the reconstruction of its north adobe wall to stabilize the structure. 

In 2003, the Superintendent’s Lodge celebrated its centennial and as part of the year-long celebration, Sun-Maid Growers of California sponsored the publication of a 12-page magazine which highlights the history of “M. Theo Kearney and the History of the California Raisin.” The centennial year also included a research project that focused on gathering the stories of people who lived and worked on the ranch during the University of California period. 

Today, the Kearney historic site continues to provide a unique venue for interpreting and sharing Central California’s agricultural history and the story of the Raisin King, M. Theo Kearney. 

NOT SO FUN FACT: In case you were wondering what happened to the Carriage House, during the Pandemic, starlings – yes, the bird kind – burrowed through the roof of the structure and made nests that LITERALLY go all the down the stairs to the first floor. This is just an example and that does not even begin to touch what is actually being abated from the Carriage House. Yikes! Disclaimer: no birds were disturbed during this clean-up.

So, there you have the news of the month. Our 107th Birthday Bash and 1970’s You Should Be Dancing Bee Gees Tribute Gala on Friday, March 27th will be one of the most RAD parties of the year. If you have not taken the leap to attend our annual event, be there or be square! 

Copacetically yours,

Elizabeth Laval                                    

President
Fresno City & County Historical Society 

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
HISTORICAL SOCIETY GALA COMING MARCH 27, 2026

Greetings Funky Friends! 

Hoping 2026 has started out with good vibes all around. 

We have a boss opportunity for you to support your one and only Fresno City & County Historical Society and have a righteous experience at the same time! Now is the time to get tickets to attend our upcoming 1970’s fundraising Gala to be held at The Grand on 10 on Friday, March 27, 2026. The night is sure to be a gas!

After a totally fresh cocktail, chill music, and dinner, you and your guests will boogie down to the bomb tunes of You Should Be Dancing: A Tribute to the Bee Gees.

Of course, we will offer valet parking for your wheels or any other ride you choose to arrive in. The party kicks off at 6:00pm and the band will start jammin’ after an off the hook meal.

You probably already know all funds generated will help us get our “out of sight” Archive on Kern up and running. 

The night will be stellar, and we expect to see some slammin’ threads in the house and under the mirror ball. So do me a solid and come get your groove on.

You can Ring My Bell if you need more of the lowdown on special sponsored tables with extra bennies at 559-441-0867.

Individual tickets are available at valleyhistory.org/events or at the link below. Hope you can join us or you'll have to dream on!

ARCHIVAL SPOTLIGHT 

Dreams of ’76: Fresno High and the 
Spirit of a Bicentennial Generation

By Donald Spencer MSc., Archivist. 

Hello Friends of the Archives, 

As we enter 2026, we have already received so many wonderful inquiries from Fresnans to donate a plethora of extraordinary items. Yet our first official accession of the year comes from my own family. This donation has been gifted to the Society by Seth Garrison and his mother, Paulette Spencer’s, estate. These items not only capture both local pride and education, but also an important time in national history. This small but meaningful collection of Fresno High School materials adds to our already impressive Fresno High collection. Our archive currently includes all yearbooks ranging from FHS inception to the mid-1960s. Yet the 1970s have remained a gap in our holdings until now, offering us a snapshot of the student mindset and life in the mid-1970s during a milestone year for the country. 

This donation includes three Fresno High yearbooks from 1974, 1975, and 1976, each reflecting the school's culture, personalities, and traditions during that era. Most notably, the 1976 yearbook does not directly commemorate the United States Bicentennial except for the first page that displays a picture of the White House, a Revolutionary War era fort, and the Liberty Bell. This small homage marks the 200th anniversary of the nation’s founding, but the accompanying graduation cap tassels truly show the Spirit of ’76 as is referenced so frequently in the yearbook. There are two tassels, each carrying its own symbolic weight for the Bicentennial. One tassel, in Fresno High’s traditional purple and gold, features a Liberty Bell charm marked “76,” blending school identity with national celebration. The second tassel is distinctly Bicentennial in design, being red, white, and blue in color, and it too is adorned with a Liberty Bell charm bearing the number “76”. These are clear reflections of the era’s spirit and the pride felt by graduates of FHS stepping into adulthood during such a significant year. 

Although the 1976 yearbook itself is not overtly decorated in patriotic symbolism, iconography, and color scheme, I believe the true essence of the Class of ’76 lies in the introductory entry. Inside the book’s pages, we see a deep, contemplative reflecting on the concepts of dreams (i.e., hopes) integrating into normal adult American society after graduation. The year’s theme of 1976 was “Dreams,” and many of the pages bear quotes from famous literary, political, or influential figures. I found the preface, a clear homage to the founding fathers of the United States, to be quite a profound thought, not only for their time but for ours as well, and I would like to share it here:

“They had a dream. A dream of a better world for mankind. A country of freedom and hope, equality, and rights. As the years went by, this county appeared. It was called America. It was a new land, a free land, a great land which was an answer to a dream. They fought for this land, and they won. 

"We have a dream. A dream of a better world for mankind. A world of freedom and hope, equality, and rights. For this to become a reality, we must build and expand our minds as our forefathers did. We must conquer new ideas and achieve new goals. We the staff proudly dedicate the 1976 Owl to the men and woman who formed this country for they can truly be called, 'The Spirit of ’76.'" – Fresno High School Owl, 1976. 

Receiving these items now feels especially fitting as our nation approaches its 250th anniversary this year. Such as these students, we stand at a landmark date in our country’s history, and these materials remind us how previous generations marked moments of national reflection and celebration at the local and national level. So, moving into 2026, what are our dreams? How do we expand our minds and build a new world like our founding fathers? A good step, one could say, is like the students of ’76, we look back at our history and preserve it to remember how those before us strove for a better world and innovated in their eras.  

We in the archives are grateful to the donor for preserving and sharing these Fresno High artifacts. Together, they offer more than nostalgia, they provide future researchers and visitors with a tangible connection to how Fresno’s students experienced their world, their school, and contemplated their county during a landmark chapter in American history. 

ROOTS OF THE VALLEY: MATTIE B. MEYERS -

A VOICE FOR JUSTICE AND A VISION FOR FRESNO

In honor of Black History Month, and in recognition of our collaborative Juneteenth Celebration, made possible through funding support from the Expanded Access to the Arts Measure P grant, we wanted to share the story of a pivotal figure in Fresno’s history whose legacy continues to shape our community today.

In 1965, at a pivotal moment in Fresno’s civic and social history, Mattie B. Meyers made history by running for mayor. While her campaign did not result in electoral victory, it represented a bold and groundbreaking act of civic engagement, one rooted in decades of activism, leadership, and advocacy for civil rights, education, and equity within Fresno’s African American community.

Mattie B. Meyers was already a well-known figure in Fresno long before her mayoral campaign. A former teacher, community organizer, and president of the Fresno branch of the NAACP, Meyers dedicated her life to addressing systemic inequalities in housing, education, and public policy. During the 1950s and 1960s, she worked tirelessly to challenge school segregation and discriminatory housing practices, positioning herself as one of the city’s most vocal advocates for civil rights. Her leadership extended beyond local efforts; she played a key role in bringing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Fresno in 1964 for his historic march from Fresno High School to Ratcliffe Stadium, firmly situating Fresno within the broader national civil rights movement.

Meyers’ decision to run for mayor in 1965 must be understood within this larger context of activism and change. Fresno was operating under a newly adopted city charter, and the political landscape was shifting. For Meyers, the mayoral race offered an opportunity to bring civil rights concerns directly into the political arena and to challenge long-standing power structures that had historically excluded women and people of color from municipal leadership. As the first first African American woman to run for Fresno’s highest office, her candidacy itself was a powerful statement about representation, access, and democratic participation.

While contemporary newspaper coverage of Meyers’ campaign was limited, the significance of her run lies not solely in election results but in what it symbolized for Fresno’s marginalized communities. Meyers used the campaign to elevate conversations about racial equity, educational access, and fair housing at a time when such issues were often sidelined in local politics. Her presence on the ballot challenged prevailing assumptions about who could lead and whose voices mattered in shaping the city’s future.

Meyers’ life story, as later reflected in her memoir, Seven Houses, reveals the personal resilience and determination that underpinned her public activism. Through her writing and continued community engagement, she documented the struggles and triumphs of African Americans navigating segregation, migration, and civic life in California’s Central Valley. Following her passing in 2017, her son Earl Meyers Jr. reflected on her legacy in an interview with KVPR, stating, “She was always a woman that was ahead of her time… She was extremely tenacious… She was a fighter and she did not back down from anyone.”

In addition to her activism, Meyers articulated a clear and forward-thinking mayoral platform during her 1965 campaign which included six key points:

1. A full-time mayor for Fresno, recognizing that the growing city required dedicated leadership rather than a part-time role.

2. Comprehensive long-range planning, anticipating a future population of one million residents and the need for thoughtful urban development.

3. Economic growth through industry, advocating for attracting businesses to broaden the tax base and reduce financial strain on residents.

4. Positive and dynamic leadership, calling for professionalism and cooperation in City Council proceedings rather than political infighting.

5. Representation in city governance, emphasizing the need for women and district-based representation on the City Council to ensure equitable voices in decision-making.

6. Improved race relations, asserting that city leadership must actively work to eliminate discrimination and segregation at the local level.

Meyers’ platform reflected her long-standing advocacy for civil rights and education equity. As noted in a Fresno Bee article, Fresno State professor Kris Clarke highlighted Meyers’ more than 30-year career as an elementary and middle school teacher in Fresno and Kerman. During the early 1960s, Meyers was appointed to a Fresno Board of Education study committee tasked with investigating school conditions. Dissatisfied with the committee’s final report, she authored a fiery dissent criticizing its failure to address de facto segregation in Fresno schools and its impact on African American student success. In her dissent, Meyers called for school desegregation, integration of teaching faculty, greater educational equity, and the establishment of a multi-racial Human Relations Council.

Today, Mattie B. Meyers is remembered as a trailblazer whose contributions extended far beyond a single election. Her work helped lay the foundation for future generations of civic leaders and activists in Fresno. Though archival records of her 1965 mayoral campaign remain fragmented, her legacy endures through oral histories, community memory, and institutional recognition. Meyers’ candidacy stands as a testament to the power of participation and the enduring importance of challenging injustice, both within and beyond the ballot box.

SAVE THE DATE!

MOONLIGHT MAHJONG

February 7, 2026

Join us for an unforgettable evening of food, drinks, and friendly competition at Moonlight Mahjong! This unique fundraising event invites you to learn and play the traditional Hong Kong/Cantonese style of mahjong—just as it was enjoyed by the Chinese immigrants who shaped the Valley’s history, as featured in our From China to Fresno exhibit.

The night begins with a cocktail hour featuring light hors d’oeuvres, followed by an engaging mahjong lesson. You’ll practice your skills in a guided round before diving into a lively tournament with exciting prizes. Experienced players will be able to start their table immediately.

Vintage Glam Attire Encouraged! Dress to impress and add a touch of old-school elegance to this evening affair!

All proceeds and donations will support the relocation of the From China to Fresno exhibit, ensuring its rich history can continue to educate and inspire our community.

Stay tuned for updates on our website at valleyhistory.org and follow us on socials @fresnohistory.

Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to learn, play, and support a great cause. Save the date—we’ll see you there!

ENGAGING THE PRESENT 
THROUGH THE POWER OF THE PAST

BY Debbie Unger, Tour Manager

We have an exciting update to share with our community!  

Beginning February 27th, 2026, the Fresno City & County Historical Society’s guided tours will be held at The Archive on Kern located at 2120 Kern Street, in downtown Fresno, while our very own Kearney Mansion undergoes some much-anticipated remodeling while she is closed from February 13th through April 17th, 2026. This behind-the-scenes move gives us the opportunity to continue sharing Fresno’s rich history with you while our beloved vintage girl receives a beautiful refresh.   

During this time, visitors will enjoy engaging tours at The Archive on Kern , featuring fascinating oral histories, our newest exhibit, From China to Fresno: 150-Year Cultural Journey in collaboration with the Chinese American Museum Project(CAMP), the robust McClatchy Collection alongside the 1919 Fresno Morning Republican printing press along with selected Pop Laval photographs, courtesy of the Pop Laval Foundation, and historical treasures such as the Mystery of History Yuletide Lanterns found hidden away since 1931 in the Belmont Underpass discovered by High-Speed Rail workers. All these exhibits help bring the past to life in a new and unique way. 

Stay tuned for information on a number of Walking Tours launching from The Archive on Kern in the spring as well.

The Kearney Mansion Museum & Gallery will reopen on April 17th, 2026, with a stunning new look! Guests will be welcomed back to fresh paint and a newly manicured veranda—making your next visit even more memorable. 

Whether you join us at The Archive on Kern this spring or plan a visit for our grand re-opening at Kearney Mansion, we look forward to welcoming you and continuing to share the stories that make our tours so special. 

Thank you for your continued support, and we can’t wait to see you soon—both on Kern Street and back at the Kearney Mansion Museum & Gallery this April! 

SAVE THE DATE AND DISCOVER THE STRATEGY, HISTORY, AND CULTURAL MEANING OF XIANGQI (CHINESE CHESS)

March 8th, 2026 | 2 PM – 5 PM

@ The Archive on Kern

Join us for a special afternoon of learning, play, and cultural connection as we explore Xiangqi (Chinese Chess), a centuries-old game deeply rooted in Chinese history, philosophy, and community life. This unique fundraising event invites participants of all ages and experience levels to learn and play Xiangqi as it was enjoyed by Chinese immigrants who helped shape the Central Valley, as featured in our From China to Fresno exhibit.

More than a game, Xiangqi reflects the strategic thinking, values, and storytelling traditions passed down through generations. Its origins date back to China’s Warring States period (475–221 BCE), when chess-like games were used to teach military strategy and leadership. Over time, Xiangqi evolved into a popular pastime among scholars, officials, and everyday people. By the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE), it had become firmly embedded in Chinese culture, and by the Ming and Qing Dynasties it was enjoyed across all levels of society—from village courtyards to imperial courts.

Xiangqi represents a battle between two opposing armies, each led by a general (king). The objective is to checkmate the enemy general, but the path to victory requires foresight, balance, and adaptability; principles closely aligned with Chinese philosophical traditions. The game is played on a 9-inch by10-inch grid, with pieces placed on the intersections of the board lines, rather than inside squares. The board itself carries meaning: a river divides the two sides, symbolizing distance and challenge, while palace zones restrict the movement of the generals and advisors, reinforcing ideas of protection, hierarchy, and order. Each player controls 16 pieces, traditionally colored red and black. These flat, circular pieces are labeled with Chinese characters identifying their role. Distinctive pieces include the cannon (pao), which must jump another piece to capture, and the chariot, one of the most powerful pieces on the board. The oldest known Xiangqi piece discovered to date is a chariot, highlighting the game’s deep historical roots.

Even the colors carry legend. One popular story traces the red and black armies to the conflict between Liu Bang, founder of the Han Dynasty, and the Qin forces he defeated. Liu Bang’s troops wore red, which came to symbolize victory, a tradition that continues in Xiangqi today. Historically, Xiangqi sets were crafted from simple materials, often unpainted wood, requiring subtle variations in characters to distinguish opposing sides. Today, sets range from plastic to finely carved wood and jade, yet many still use traditional Chinese characters, preserving a tangible connection to the past. For Chinese immigrant communities, Xiangqi was more than entertainment. It was a way to gather, socialize, pass time, and maintain cultural identity—often played in shops, community spaces, and family homes. These moments of play fostered connection and continuity, especially for those building new lives far from their homeland.

All proceeds and donations from this event will support the relocation of the From China to Fresno exhibit, ensuring that these stories of migration, resilience, tradition, and community remain accessible to future generations. By participating, you are helping preserve and share the cultural heritage that continues to shape our region. Whether you are new to Xiangqi or eager to deepen your understanding, this event offers a rare opportunity to engage with history through hands-on experience. Learn the rules, explore the symbolism, and discover why this timeless game has captivated players for centuries.

Check back for event details and registration information at valleyhistory.org and follow us on social media @fresnohistory. Come learn, play, and support a meaningful cause. We look forward to seeing you at the board!

ARCHIVES PRESERVE HISTORY FOR ALL

By Cami Cipolla, Director of Educational Services and Community Engagement

An archive is more than a storage space, it is where history lives. Within archives are firsthand accounts of the past: letters, reports, photographs, oral histories, and other primary sources that allow us to see history through the eyes of those who lived it. These materials reveal how people worked, what businesses thrived, how communities formed, and how individuals responded to moments of crisis and change. Historical societies and museums interpret these records, helping us understand not only what happened, but why it still matters today.

To fully appreciate the importance of the Fresno City & County Historical Society Archives, it helps to understand how, and why, the organization began.

The Birth of the Historical Society

In October 1918, as the United States entered World War I, the California State Council of Defense established War History Committees in every county. Their purpose was to document California’s role in the war by collecting materials of historical value, everything from official records to everyday correspondence and personal stories. Fresno County’s committee was chaired by Charles McLane, later president of Fresno State, and included Frank Homan, Emory Ratcliffe, Sarah McCardle, John A. Nowell, and Ben R. Walker.

As biographies, photographs, and documents related to local soldiers accumulated, it became clear that Fresno needed a permanent institution to preserve these materials. In December 1918, the committee began organizing what would become the Fresno County Historical Society. Officially inaugurated on March 22, 1919, under the leadership of Ben R. Walker, the Society’s mission was, and remains, to collect and preserve records of historical value to Fresno County and the greater San Joaquin Valley.

Since its founding, the Society’s archives have grown to document Fresno’s role in both World Wars, California’s rise as a global economic force, and the Central Valley’s position as the nation’s leading agricultural exporter. Today, as Fresno continues to grow and change, the Historical Society remains committed to preserving the region’s past for future generations. This commitment continues through current efforts to secure funding for a rotating museum gallery in Downtown Fresno, beginning with an exhibit honoring World War I and World War II—the very events that led to the Society’s creation.

One powerful example of why archives matter is the life of William Arthur Bigby Jr., whose story survives through oral histories, photographs, and community memory preserved by the Historical Society.

Bigby was interviewed on December 7, 1976, at his home in Fresno. Born on November 1, 1892, in Colusa, California, he moved to Fresno as a child. During the interview, Bigby was joined by his sister, Ruby Pierro, and his cousin, Carroll Watkins, whose recollections provide valuable insight into African American life in Fresno during the early twentieth century.

Pierro recalled that their mother came to California at the age of fifteen and that African American families migrated west seeking opportunity and relief from the racial violence of the South, including threats from the Ku Klux Klan. In Fresno, Black men largely found work in agriculture, while women were employed in domestic labor. Watkins noted that prior to World War I, Fresno’s Black population numbered only five to six hundred people.

Despite these limitations, Bigby and his family helped shape Fresno’s civic and cultural life. In 1888, members of his mother’s family helped found the Second Baptist Church, Fresno’s first African American church. Bigby’s maternal grandfather, Reverend Edward Lindsey, was elected its first pastor. These institutions were foundational, providing spiritual leadership, social support, and political organizing within the community.

Bigby attended Fresno schools and became the first African American graduate of Fresno High School in 1912. Drafted into World War I, he served fourteen months in Europe and rose to the rank of First Sergeant. In a rare 1917 photograph preserved in the archives, Bigby appears with friends just before being shipped overseas. His service did not shield him from discrimination. Upon returning home, Bigby found that local American Legion posts were largely unwelcoming to African American veterans. In response, he founded American Legion Post 511 and served as its president—an early example of his lifelong commitment to building institutions when existing ones excluded his community. Bigby remained deeply engaged in Fresno’s civic life. He became president of the Negro Citizens’ Advancement League of West Fresno in 1927 and was a 33rd-degree Mason in the Prince Hall Order of Free and Accepted Masons. He volunteered extensively, supporting organizations such as the Boys Club of Fresno, United Givers, the March of Dimes, and the Red Cross. He also served as one of the first directors of Valley Children’s Hospital and spent sixteen years on the Edison High School Advisory Board. In housing and civil rights advocacy, Bigby helped lay groundwork for lasting change. He served on a citizens advisory committee that later evolved into the Fresno City and County Housing Authority. In recognition of his work, a 180-unit low-income housing project, Bigby Villa, was named in his honor in 1972. William A. Bigby Jr. passed away in 1981 at the age of eighty-eight, having received numerous honors for his community service. His life, preserved through photographs, oral histories, and archival records, illustrates why archives are essential. Without them, these stories, of migration, service, resistance, and leadership, risk being fragmented or forgotten.

As we share these histories during the Fresno Chaffee Zoo Black History Month celebration on February 21, we are reminded that archives do more than preserve the past. They ensure that voices once marginalized are heard, that community contributions are recognized, and that Fresno’s diverse history remains visible, meaningful, and alive.

THE SIGNING OF ORDER 9066
CREATING JAPANESE AMERICAN INTERNMENT

On February 19, 1942, General John DeWitt, Commander of the Western Defense Command, ordered the exclusion of Americans of Japanese ancestry, both citizens and legal resident aliens, from the western portions of Washington, Oregon, California, and the southern part of Arizona. The exclusion orders were authorized by President Franklin D. Roosevelt pursuant to Executive Order No. 9066.

Temporary assembly centers were built to house the internees until permanent internment camps could be built. Fresno County had two assembly centers, with others at the Merced and Tulare Fairgrounds.  

The Fresno Assembly Center was built at the Fresno County Fairgrounds. Over 100 tar paper barracks were built to house 5,344 Japanese Americans from Central California. The center was occupied from May 6 to October 30, 1942.

Pinedale Assembly Center was at the original site of the Sugar Pine Lumber Mill. From May 7 to July 23, 1942, a total of 4,823 residents from Sacramento and El Dorado Counties in California and portions of Washington and Oregon were incarcerated at the Pinedale Assembly Center.

While Japanese Americans were being confined in the assembly centers, the War Department built 10 War Relocation Centers, each designed to hold 12,000 internees in the interior desert and swamp regions of California, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming.  

The residents of Fresno County were sent to Jerome War Relocation Center and Poston Relocation Center, both in Arkansas, and Gila River Relocation Center in Arizona. The camp in Arizona was built on an Indian reservation.

On February 19, 1991, a California State Historical Monument was dedicated at the Fresno District Fairgrounds recognizing its use as an assembly center during World War II. February 19th is remembered by Japanese Americans as a “Day of Remembrance” in recognition of the date President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 in 1942.

Both the Fresno Assembly Center and Pinedale Assembly Center Memorials serve as stark reminders of the silent sacrifice of over 140,000 people of Japanese descent and their determination to love their country despite the cruel injustice they endured.

San Joaquin Valley Town Hall Corner

Resilience and Resistance - The Japanese-American Experience in World War II

February. 18, 2026

DANIEL JAMES BROWN

Best-selling Author

TOM IKEDA

Founder of the Densho Project

Uncover stories of resilience and injustice as best-selling author Daniel James Brown (Facing the Mountain, The Boys in the Boat) and historian Tom Ikeda, founder of the Densho Project, delve into the deeply personal stories of Japanese-Americans during WWII. From the forced removal of families from their homes to the resilience displayed in American concentration camps, they will examine how a community endured discrimination while many of its young men courageously served in the all Japanese-American 442nd Regimental Combat Team. This powerful discussion reminds us why protecting civil liberties for all is more critical than ever.

150 YEARS LATER, A FAMILIAR TALE…

“REPORTER EXPELLED.” 

“On last Thursday, on motion of Senator Lewis, the reporter of the San Francisco "Chronicle" was expelled from the Senate, and that paper was debarred the privilege of a reporter in the Senate Chamber in the future. We have never been an admirer of the "Chronicle,” and have always been opposed to the scurrilous system of journalism to which it, in common with numbers of the papers, is addicted. It has said many unjust and harsh things in relation to the present Legislature and its members, which were undoubtedly hard to bear, but certainly nothing was gained by the act of expulsion. It only gives the “Chronicle"' an excuse to howl louder. We think the Senate could engage in more profitable business than expelling newspaper reporters. It is too much like cutting a dog's tail off to keep it from biting. The tail is gone, and you have done the dog that much injury, but it can bite still, and being enraged will bite harder.” 

The (Fresno) Expositor, February 2, 1876

MAKING HISTORY EVERY DAY

Iconic pillar in Fresno High 
neighborhood on track to be rebuilt



By Robert Rodriguez, Fresno Bee on January 28, 2026

Plans to restore the historic Fresno High neighborhood pillar that was smashed to pieces in December are moving forward, said Fresno City Councilmember Annalisa Perea.

"This is a priority project for our office, and we are making sure we stay on top of it," Perea said.

The iconic pillar, one of four in the neighborhood, was demolished by a drunk driver on Dec. 18. The 10-foot high pillar stood for nearly a century at Palm and Simpson avenues and was built out of river rock, mortar and brick.

"As soon as we get the quotes and choose the contractor, we will have a better idea of a timeline," Campa said in a statement. "It is getting rebuilt and most likely completed by the end of the year or sooner unless there is some unforeseen delay."

Fresno High neighbor Cathy Cirimele is happy the pillar is being rebuilt. She also hopes the remaining pillars get some attention as they are showing signs of deterioration.

"Neighbors are doing their best to try and keep them in as good a condition as they can," Cirimele said. "But they also need a little help."