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Wheatland Hop Riot
The Wheatland Hop Riot was one of the most important and well-known events in California labor history.
A bloody clash occurred at the Durst Ranch on August 3, 1913, climaxing growing tensions brought about by
the difficult conditions farm laborers at the ranch endured. The riot resulted in four deaths and many
injuries. It focused public opinion for the first time on the plight of California's agricultural laborers,
and resulted in new state legislation to regulate labor camp conditions. A new State Commission on Immigration
and Housing was created to help improve working conditions. Beyond that, the Wheatland Hop Riot was the
first major farm labor confrontation in California and the harbinger of decades of attempts to organize
or control agricultural labor.
Citation from
California Office of Historic Preservation
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