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The year 2010 marks the 90th Anniversary of the Stanislaus County Swiss Club located in the great central valley of California. In 1995 for the club’s 75th Anniversary and with the passing of so many years it became apparent to the members that it was time to put into writing the history and memories of the club and the families that make up it membership. The pages in the 75th Anniversary book are about the Swiss people who immigrated to the “new world” America. It is a beautiful history filled with great joy, good times, success and happiness. Yet it is also a story of great hardships, disappointments and tragedies. Many left behind family members that they never saw again. The “old country” Switzerland, with its majestic Alps and picturesque valleys and villages, has always been one of the most beautiful countries on earth. Today, Switzerland is a very rich and prosperous country as well as one of the primary tourist spots in Europe. It is hard to imagine why anyone would leave a country with so much beauty and prosperity. It wasn’t always this way; Switzerland of the years past was not always moving in and out of the country. The laws in Switzerland were constantly changing and there were many wars with the Duke of Milano and other neighboring countries. There was no work and no future opportunities for the people, and most were very poor. These Ticinese came to America because travel agencies advertised good climate, abundance of water, rich soil, maybe free land, no compulsory military duty, freedom of worship, free education and after five years they could become a U.S. citizen. Many were persuaded by family members who were once here and returned to tell the story of America. It is believed that a Swiss German, John Sutter, was one of the first from Switzerland to immigrate to California, and his “New Helvetia” along the Sacramento and American Rivers was established in 1839. The first two Swiss Italian families recorded in California, were Giannini and Delmonica, who came to “New Helvetia” in 1849. In 1856, Louis Juri owned a dairy near what is now known as the San Francisco Presidio, and sold milk for fifty cents per gallon. One of the most interesting aspects of the European immigration was the large number of Swiss Italians who came west. Two major farm areas, Val Leventina and Val Maggia, were the principal source of immigrants. In 1920, there were nearly 17,000 Swiss in California. The largest number of immigrants were dairymen, however some resided in the cities as doctors, bankers and restaurant owners. The majority settled in San Francisco, the north and south coast ranges, the Sierra Nevada, Plumas County area and the Central Valley. The typical immigrant was between 15 and 35 years of age and records show that most married after coming to California, and 25 of 30 men married women born in Ticino or daughters of Ticinese immigrants.
GENERAL HISTORY STANISLAUS COUNTY SWISS CLUB The Stanislaus County Swiss Club was established on September 19, 1920. The primary activity for the past 90 years has been the annual picnic commemorating the August 1, 1291, date of Switzerland’s Independence. The Swiss club has always been the social gathering place of the Swiss Italian and some of the Swiss German people. The spirit of fellowship as expressed in the Swiss motto, “One For All, and All For One,” has been passed down from one generation to the next. Early organizers of the club went all over the area collecting $1.00 original dues from the Swiss people. The first picnic was held on a railroad platform near where the club makes it home today, Yori’s Grove. Farming then was mostly grain land and volunteer pastures. The days of the early Swiss were filled with hard work and also a lot of fun. There was more time for visiting and more time for friends. A trip to the Swiss Club was a long journey. Many of the roads were not paved, so consequently many of the older cars on occasion would get stuck in the mud and had to be pulled out by a team of horses. The prohibition days from 1918 through 1933 changed the lives of many of the Swiss immigrants. The Swiss made their own wine and brew and if they had a neighbor who did not like them, he could turn them in and the fine would be $200.00. Wine for home and personal use was permitted and for this reason many of the laws were overlooked. The great depression also changed the lives of the Swiss, making for many their dreams of prosperity unrealistic. Most of the families were poor, however they did not realize it because everyone around them was poor as well. |
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Stanislaus County Swiss Club 90th Anniversary |
