|
 |
| Santa Visits Alviso Foundation Serving the Alviso Community Since 1983 |
|
|
Shortly after the Biq Quake of '06, Thomas Chew, a Chinese gentleman, built the Bayside Canning Company (whose facade still exists today) over the ruins of his fathers canning company and revitalized Alviso. Up until his death in '31, it was a thriving operation with hundreds of workers of all races, though mostly oriental, living in tent housing. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Then with the Great Depression, and the death of Mr. Chew, business failed, and once again Alviso faded away from the industrial scene. It did, however, remain a thorn in the side of the good people of San Jose with its drinking, gambling, and bawdyhouses. Thereafter Alviso became just another small agricultural/fishing village outside of San Jose. Over the years the bay silted in, the channels closed up, the yacht club became more of a social club than sailing, and the marina has become overgrown with cat tails and bull rushes. Empty docks rot away and abandoned hulls sit hidden among weeds. The walls of the cannery crumble and the town sits sleepily unaware of the past. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Mostly Hispanic, (the 1990 census showed Alviso to be 74% Mexican-American), we just kind of meandered our way through the next several decades until by a difference of a mere 9 votes, Alviso was annexed by the city of San Jose in 1968. However, the promised changes for the better seemed to be forgotten after the annexation and it was several more decades before real changes were to be seen. |