Delta Explorer - Spring 2008 - (Page 30) HISTORIC FEATURE Kate Bould Portraiture Open 11�5 Sat, by appt and happenstance Fine Art Photography in the Delta 135 North Front Street, Rio Vista 707-374-3743 www.asamathat.com Locke Boarding House Close To Opening Doors By California State Parks So much history for such a small town nestled in the heart of the Delta, famous for ‘Al the Wops’ and The Boat House. Always, has this small town been famous for the buildings that refuse to fall down, yet lean heavily and look like they would fall down with a puff of air. In April 2005, the California State Parks acquired the Locke Boarding House from Locke Property Development Corporation - a dilapidated boarding house, once known as ‘Sam’s Rooms,” and partnered with The Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA) on the project. State Parks had been studying the feasibility of establishing a presence in Locke since the 1970s and finally this was the way. Construction on the project began in June 2007 and many companies have been involved in its transformation, including restoration architectural firms and contractors who specialize in restoration, to name a few. My family and I have watched this project with amazement and fascination as the old wood timbers were raised and a foundation put in place. The old building almost looked like it was going to give up and keel over, but the contractors had wedges and posts ready in anticipation for this. Today, it is close to initial phase completion. Recently it was painted a lovely duck egg color, the chain link security fencing came down in mid January and it looks beautiful. Funding for the project has come from several sources: Prop 40 Opportunity Cultural Grant funding ($500,000), Save America’s Treasures program funding through the National Park Service ($450,000) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant program ($800,000). Once building rehabilitation has been completed, the next phase of the project will be the funding, scoping, design and construction of the interpretive exhibits that will provide educational opportunities for visitors to Locke. This phase is not currently funded, however it is hoped that there may be some funding out of the recently passed Proposition 84 Bond. In the interim, State Parks will be working with the local Locke Foundation with the goal of providing temporary interpretive exhibits and staffing to provide town visitors with information and interpretive/educational opportunities. In the future, Calfiornia State Parks will be working with the Sacramento River Delta Historical Society and the Locke Foundation for direction on the scope and design of the permanent interpretive exhibits. There are many stories to be told in relation to the Boarding House: There is the thread that runs from Angel Island (where most Asian immigrants arrived in the United States) to places like Locke where people settled, then proliferated into other areas of the Central Valley such as Sacramento. There are stories of the contributions of Chinese immigrants, other immigrants and Chinese Americans who settled in Locke and helped build the levees and the agricultural industry which remains the lifeblood of the Central Valley to this day. There is the story of the town of Locke itself, how and why it was built and what everyday life was like in this small Delta town. There is also the story of the Boarding House itself which was owned by a Japanese family, the Kuramotos from the period of 1921-1942. The Kuramotos lost the Boarding House, then called “Sam’s Rooms,” when they were interned during World War II. Three of the Kuramoto children still live in Northern California and one lives nearby in Walnut Grove. After internment in 1942 the Kuramotos never returned to the Boarding House. In 2005, after an article ran in the Sacramento Bee about State Parks’ acquisition of the Boarding House, State Parks received a call from Shirley Kuramoto, wife of Sam Kuramoto. Sam had lived in the Boarding House until he was 14 years old. The Kuramotos returned to the Boarding House in September 2005 for a family reunion. As you can tell, there are many wonderful facets to this project, from the acquisition and restoration/rehabilitation of the building, to the building and the town of Locke itself, to the compelling stories of the people who helped build California. For more information about Locke go to www.locketown.com and State Parks www.parks.ca.gov. Dolk Tractor Company est. 1948 The Dolk Tractor Company is a family-owned business with nearly 60 years of experience serving the Sacramento River Delta Region. Our desire is to provide exceptional equipment, parts, and service to every customer. Whether youʼre buying, renting, need a repair or a part, weʼve got the support you need. Sales & Service 242 N . F ront Street Rio Vista www.dolktractorcompany.com 707/374-6438 cappuccino run 707-374 210 Hwy. 12 Rio Vista 707-374-6345 COUPON 6345 delta explorer / 30 http://www.asamathat.com http://www.asamathat.com http://www.dolktractorcompany.com http://www.dolktractorcompany.com http://www.locketown.com http://www.parks.ca.gov
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