Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, is being observed in Dixon with a focus on honoring the contributions and history of the Hispanic and Latino communities that have shaped the region for generations. Photo courtesy of María López/Dixon Historical Society

DIXON, CA (MPG) - Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, is being observed in Dixon with a focus on honoring the contributions and history of the Hispanic and Latino communities that have shaped the region for generations.

According to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino, the month-long holiday was first established as a week-long celebration in 1968 by President Lyndon B. Johnson and expanded to a month by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. Notably, Hispanic Heritage Month aligns with the independence days of several Central American nations, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, all of which celebrate Sept. 15.

In Dixon, Hispanic history reaches back to the early California period when the area was under Spanish and later Mexican rule from 1769 to 1846. According to the Dixon Historical Society, notable land-grant families such as the Peñas, Vacas, Armijos and Vallejos were among the early settlers in what are now Solano and Yolo counties. The region transitioned to U.S. control during the Bear Flag Revolt, and California achieved statehood in 1850.

Dixon’s Latino and Hispanic population grew significantly in the 1940s due to the Bracero Program, a United States-Mexico agreement that brought temporary workers to American farms. Photo courtesy of María López/Dixon Historical Society

The city's Latino and Hispanic population began growing significantly in the 1940s, driven by agricultural labor opportunities. The Bracero Program, a U.S.-Mexico agreement that brought temporary workers to American farms, drew many Hispanic families to Dixon. Another key development was the Dixon Migrant Camp, which opened in 1967 and relocated to Radio Station Road in 1984, providing seasonal housing and childcare for migrant farm workers.

Cultural visibility has been a mainstay of Dixon’s public life, including the annual May Fair Parade, where Las Charras, or “Mexican horsewomen,” participated in the 2000s.

Local institutions and landmarks also reflect this heritage. George’s Orange, a former roadside stand on West A Street, transitioned from selling orange juice and hamburgers in the 1920s to offering Mexican cuisine under the ownership of the Lozano family and later, Pedro Torres.

Today, Hispanic and Latino-owned businesses continue to thrive in Dixon, including Super La Favorita Meat Market, La Cocina Mexicana, Avila Flooring and Jacky’s Mexican Restaurant.

The Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce supports more than 300 Hispanic-owned businesses in the region and advocates for economic development, education and civic engagement across Solano County.

Dixon Public Library is hosting a wrestling event called Lucha Libro at 4 p.m. Sept. 20. The free event, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, will introduce many Dixonites to the Mexican tradition of Lucha Libre, which translates to “free fight” in English. Photo courtesy of Dixon Public Library

To further support this air of culture and history, the Dixon Public Library is hosting a wrestling event called Lucha Libro at 4 p.m. Sept. 20. The free event, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, will introduce many Dixonites to the Mexican tradition of Lucha Libre, which literally translates to “free fight” in English. The show will be held at the library, 230 N. First St.

With events, partnerships and a growing legacy, Hispanic Heritage Month in Dixon highlights the lasting impact and ongoing contributions of its Hispanic community.