Intentional Unhoused Communities in Berkeley
Intentional communities provide opportunities for unhoused residents, but they also draw institutional criticism.
The First Koreatown
Pachappa Camp, the first Korean-organized immigrant settlement in the United States, was established through the efforts of Ahn Chang Ho.
The Radical Right-Wing Housewives of 1950s California
The mobilization of housewives in 1950s California echoes through US national politics in the twenty-first century.
Richard Nixon’s Fantasy Baseball Team
It might have been a ploy to garner Democratic votes, but the president took his dream team seriously.
Boosters Used the Sweet Pea to Define California
In the late 19th century, Californians were eager to part with their reputation for wildness, so they adopted an "English" flower as their symbol.
Who Helped Japanese Americans after Internment?
Resettlement was difficult and traumatic, but the religious community worked to provide housing, food, and job opportunities.
The Oneida Community Moves to the OC
The Oneida Community's Christian form of collectivism was transported to California in the 1880s, when the original Oneida Community fell apart.
The New Nomads of #VanLife Reflect an Enduring Divide
A distinctly American restlessness is inspiring some to abandon the idea of a permanent home, while others are displaced by harsh realities.
The History of African-American Casting in Ballet
Ballet has been slow to accept African-American dancers in major companies, and those who make it tend to be offered limited roles.
How Marketing Made L.A.
In the early 20th century, the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce started marketing L.A as an earthquake-free alternative to San Francisco.