It's becoming harder to get excited about a road trip with any distance these days. Gas in Sacramento is hovering around $4.29 a gallon. National news this morning made my hair stand on end with word it could reach $6.00 by end of summer.
However, for folks in the Greater Sacramento Region, there are a number of astonishing areas within a few miles, which provide a feeling of being a world away from home.
One of these is along the Sacramento River, a mere 28 miles south of Sacramento. It is a sleepy and intriguing little place suspended in time. It is the town of Locke.
Historical accounts which differ slightly, say Locke was founded about 1912-1915, by Chinese, who had once lived in nearby Walnut Grove, who moved to the area, when a fire had occurred in the Chinese section of Walnut Grove.
A committee of Chinese merchants, led by Lee Bing, Chan Hing Sai, Tom Wai, Chan Dai Kee, Ng So Hat, Chan Wai Lum, Chow Hou Bun, and Suen Dat Suin was formed, to establish a town of their own for the Chinese.
Chinese architects laid out the town, and industrious building ensued. The founding of "Lockeport" - later 'Locke', was a reality. By 1920 Locke stood essentially as you see it now.
Levee construction for the Sacramento and San Joaquin Delta, and the building of the Central Pacific Railroad, originally brought the Chinese to this area. However, by the time Locke was built, most of the work was in farm labor. Locke had many businesses that catered to the farm workers and residents of this region. In the 1940's restaurants, bakeries, herb shops, fish markets, gambling halls, boarding houses, brothels, grocery stores, a school, clothing stores, and the Star Theatre lined the bustling streets of Locke. At its peak 600 residents, and as many as 1500 people occupied the town of Locke.
Locke was added to the registry of national historical places, by the Sacramento County Historical Society On August 2, 1970. Locke has the unique status of being the only town in the United States built exclusively by the Chinese for the Chinese.
Locke is no tourist trap, nor is it a ghost town. Its unusual, out-of-the-way charm is genuine. Perhaps it is this authenticity, which brings so many out of town visitors to its doors.
Currently, there are between 80 to 90 people living in Locke. Chinese population is down to about ten.
Directions From Sacramento:
Take Hwy 5 South
Exit at Hood-Franklin Road and turn Right
Turn Left (South) on River Road
Stay on River Road travel through river towns of Hood, Courtland, before arriving at Locke on the left side of River Road
There is a faster route to Locke by continuing on I-5 South beyond Hood-Franklin exit, and instead taking the Twin Cities Road exit. However, it is not as scenic, and you miss delightful river views and towns along the way.
For more information on Locke you can visit the Locke Community website.
