Locke, California
Historic Chinese Town
Old toilet bowls hold
potted plants
Most of the residents of Locke today
are non-Chinese. The town has only one residential street, which
parallels the Main Street. The main industry in the town is tourism;
many people come to Locke to see and photograph the historic
buildings. Locke is also a popular place for the locals in the
Delta, who come to enjoy a steak dinner at Al the Wop's or a
plate of Beef Chow Fun at the Locke Garden Chinese restaurant.
At the south end of Key street stands
a house with "potted plants" growing in old toilet
bowls. Midway along the street on the west side is a door with
an advertisement for a housekeeper; this sign has been there
for over a year when I visited for the second time in 2002. Behind
the wooden walls with peeling paint, there are people living
in in these houses, as evidenced by the Venetian blinds in the
windows.
Employment opportunity
for housekeeper in Locke, 2002
Window in building
on Locke Street
West side of Key Street,
looking south
House on Key Street
in Locke
Letters on porch spell
out "The House"
Wooden walkway connects
Key Street with Main Street
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