A Scent of Flowers: The History of the Southern California Flower Market 1912--2004

A Scent of Flowers: The History of the Southern California Flower Market 1912--2004 by Naomi Hirahara. hardcover edition. ISBN: 9780974969701.

A Scent of Flowers traces the century-long contributions of Japanese Americans and other ethnic Americans to the Southern California floricultural industry. Where there are now schools, shopping centers, and freeways were once acres of flowers, ranging from sweet peas and daisies to chrysanthemums and carnations. The Southern California Flower Market, founded by Japanese immigrants in 1912, was the first centralized center for flower sales in the region. Flower growers traveled by the electric train system and panel trucks before dawn to sell their fragrant and colorful crops in downtown Los Angeles. This unusual nocturnal lifestyle created deep bonds among men, women, and children who would face being forcibly removed from their ranches during WWII. The strong foundation of the Flower Market was able to withstand this disruption, and it still continues to operate in full occupancy today. Enter this vibrant world through the stories and photographs of these hard-working families. Through their experiences, readers will get a sense of how Southern California and its people have evolved from when the land was filled with fields of food and flowers. Includes numerous b/w photographs. Hardbound: 231 pp.