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The FOGHORN
ROTARY CLUB OF HALF MOON BAY
June 3, 2021
Angel Island Tour by John Clagett
State Park Interpreter for the Angel Island State Park and US Immigration Station
Article by Steve Wilson
Photos by Dianne Bobko
The speaker for the day was John Clagett, resident Historian/ Interpreter at Angel Island State Park, who took us on a walking tour of the historic Immigration Station. The park is open Fridays through Sundays, accessible from Tiburon or SF ferries. John warned us that service can be sketchy and schedules are subject to change at this time.
The focus of John's presentation was the time period 1910-1940, during which period Angel Island served as the primary immigration station for the West Coast. In 1940 the large Administration Building burned and immigration administration shifted back to San Francisco. Angel Island features a very thought-provoking Immigration Museum, closed due to pandemic for present but scheduled to reopen in mid-June. The only larger immigration station in the U.S. was Ellis Island during Angel Island's years of operation. This immigration facility served in large part to enforce the Chinese Exclusion Act, a retrograde legislative policy that not only severely limited the "classifications" of Chinese eligible to enter the U.S., but also gave license to administrative personnel to deny entry to many who should have qualified to enter. After WWII, the barracks also served to house Japanese and German prisoners of war as well as Japanese "picture brides."'
As a general rule, Europeans entering the U.S. were detained on Angel island for two days, more or less, while Chinese were detained three to four weeks before being admitted or more likely deported. One of the justifications offered for the exclusions was the widespread practice of "paper sons", sending unaccompanied boys or young men whose papers were falsified to allege family status with someone in the U.S. Chinese interned on Angel Island had segregated sleeping quarters and segregated mess halls. Prospective entrants were required to demonstrate to immigration officials that they had either means of support or family and living situations that would justify their entry. Regardless of ability to meet the entry qualifications, if an immigrant, particularly Chinese, appeared to be ill, he or she was quarantined on Angel Island. The barracks at Angel Island, mainly preserved, have graffiti on the inside walls, mainly in Mandarin, which is highly emotional. Factually, Ellis Island was not nearly as hard a challenge as Angel Island.
Your writer visited the museum in the past, and it is a worthwhile and sobering visit.
Club Meeting - June 2 , 2021
Pledge of Allegiance - Joe Brennan led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Inspirational Thought - Zoe Kersteen-Tucker offered the thought for today, having to do with the need for community.
Guests - Warren Barmore introduced his mother mother, Donaldina as guest (Donaldina has been a guest at our meetings several times over the years).
Happy/Crappy News 
There were a number of happy/sad shares. Paul Wrubel shared about a young family member in New York who contracted inoperable brain cancer, and whose family and friends raised over $200,000 for the Brain Tumor Institute in her memory.
Dianne Bobko shared that she, Liz and Rose visited Bonnie Dunham and had an enjoyable lunch with her.
Announcements
John Evans shared that three officers of our Interact Club at HMBHS graduated this year and each received a $500 scholarship from proceeds from the Interact Spin-Art booth at the Pumpkin Festival (this year a substitute grant from an outside source because no festival).
Mary announced that the fence at Abundant Grace is finished and it looks great.
Marble Draw 
PHOTO GALLERY
