A new monument was unveiled to honor the Armenian immigrants who established Yettem in northern Tulare County and transformed it into a thriving community in the early 1900s.
Yettem is home to the first and only Armenian-named post office in the United States, established in 1905, and the historic Yettem School, which was founded in 1921.
There was still something missing, however, at least to event organizer Chuck Simonian, whose uncles built the original St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church in 1910 and, after it burned down, whose father built the current church in 1947.
The monument is located at St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church, 14395 Avenue 384.
“We’ve got the only Armenian-named city within the United States and there’s no notoriety,” Simonian said during a memorial ceremony on April 25.
He told community members how the Doctor Samuel Gregg George Chapter of E Clampus Vitus, based in Visalia, was instrumental in the creation of the Yettem monument. The local “Clampers” were also well represented at the unveiling ceremony.
Tulare County Supervisors Board Chair Amy Shuklian introduced the dignitaries at the event, including U.S. Congressman Jim Costa.
“It’s fitting and appropriate that we provide this designation of Yettem that has so much to do with our valley’s history, but also the history of the Armenian community and the diaspora over the last hundred-plus years,” Costa said.
The ceremony was held the day after the 111th memorialization of the Armenian Genocide, the first genocide in the 20th century. More than one and a half million Armenians lost their lives between 1915 and 1923, Costa said.
“I don’t think it should be lost on anybody that here in the heart of our San Joaquin Valley, this incredible cornucopia of agricultural plenty that goes back over a 100 years, that Yettem in Armenian means Garden of Eden,” he said. “We are here today in this great valley we love, which is our Garden of Eden, so appropriately named.”
Assembly Member Alexandra Macedo praised the Armenian-American community.
“Us being here today shows the resilience and the strength of that community, and it is an honor to play a small part in that,” she said. “As a member of the California Legislative Armenian Caucus, not only here but in Sacramento, we make sure that nobody ever forgets the atrocities committed against the Armenian population.”
“Here in Tulare County, we are better because of you, because of your history, because of your contribution, and because of your commitment to preserving faith, identity, and family,” said Tulare County Supervisor Eddie Valero, before presenting a certificate of recognition. “It is my honor on behalf of the Tulare County Board of Supervisors to recognize the Armenian community of Yettem for your enduring legacy, your cultural contributions, and your continued impact for generations to come.”
Roxanne Serna represented Melissa Hurtado’s office by reading a certificate of recognition from the state senator.
“Yettem, a community unlike any other, stands as a lasting symbol of Armenian heritage in the United States. Founded in 1901 by Armenian immigrants seeking opportunity and land reminiscence of their homeland, Yettem was built on faith, resilience, and hope. And at its heart, St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church continues to serve as a center of culture and community. Though small, Yettem’s spirit remains strong with traditions carried on across generations.”
This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Yettem monument honors Tulare County community’s Armenian founders
Reporting by Steve Pastis, Visalia Times-Delta / Visalia Times-Delta
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