Mill Valley Historical Society First Wednesday Speaker

Swiss Italian Immigrants and their Impact on Marin Agriculture

by Marilyn Geary

From the 1850s
through the early 1900s, over 27,000 emigrants left poverty-stricken Ticino, an
Italian-speaking region of Switzerland, to find a better life. Some voyaged to
the gold fields of Australia. Others came to California, where despite severe
obstacles, many succeeded through hard work and determination to own and
operate successful dairy ranches. 

Marilyn’s talk will
address the Swiss-Italian immigrants to Marin County and the multi-generational
ranching families that have been major contributors to Marin’s rich
agricultural history.