Union City, California is like a jewel in the Bay Area. Located just south of San Francisco and adjacent to Oakland, this small city has been home to many generations of diverse people for over 150 years. Its rich history reflects the unique culture that abounds in its streets.
The first inhabitants of Union City were Ohlone Indians who lived along Alameda Creek since 500 B.C. In 1804, Spanish settlers arrived and began ranching at Mission San Jose. Later on, in 1850, Union City was established as part of Alvarado Township. As time went by, European immigrants moved into the area seeking work opportunities and opening businesses that would become cornerstones of the community’s economy today. During World War II, Japanese Americans made up nearly half the population due to internment camps being located nearby. The 1960s saw an influx of Southeast Asian refugees escaping political turmoil in their homelands to find refuge here in Union City; this period also marked a growth surge for the city through annexation from neighboring areas such as Decoto and Canada Verde Estates.
Today, Union City continues to be a vibrant melting pot of cultures with residents coming from various backgrounds including Latin American countries such as El Salvador and Mexico; Vietnam; China; India; Pakistan; Philippines; Japan; Korea; Pacific Islands nations such as Samoa and Guam; Iran among others. This cultural diversity makes the city thrive not only economically but socially too by encouraging understanding between different groups living together peacefully. Although it may look small compared to some other cities in California’s Bay Area, it still stands out proudly with its own identity created by its pioneering citizens throughout all these years.