1936 Lettuce Strike

Salinas Underground

In 1936 Salinas was the center of a strike led by mostly Filipino field workers. Over six weeks, battles happened in Oldtown. On one side, the striking workers were trying to prevent the lettuce trucks from reaching the packing sheds filled with "scab" workers from other parts of the country. On the other side was a motley crew of law enforcement afraid of a "red wave" descending down on the picturesque little town of Salinas. 90 years later the neighborhood is very different but if you look closely you can still find reminders of our interesting past.