Marin City's Legacy Banners: A testament of resilience and determination during WWII

MARIN CITY, Calif. -- Located nearby Sausalito, you'll discover the unincorporated community of Marin City, a place steeped in World War II shipyard history. When visitors drive down Donahue Street and Drake Avenue, they will be welcomed by colorful, commemorative banners.

"These banners highlight the Black shipyard workers. This story focuses on the Black lives," Marin City Historical and Preservation Society Founder Feleica Gaston states, "they each have their own story. "

Marin City, established during World War II, housed all the migrating Marinship workers.

"Everybody was coming out here. They left the Jim Crow South. They wanted to make more money. They wanted to build a new life for themselves," Gaston explains, "They were determined. They were resilient. At one point, there were 20,000 black people who were in Marinship to help build the ships."

Collaborating with artist James Shields, Gaston has displayed more than 40 banners.

"We want people to walk around the community to see these banners. We have a map. It tells them where the banners are," Gaston explains, "What I'm most proud about is that more people are going to be more exposed to Marin City's Black history."

Founded in 2022, the Marin City Historical and Preservation Society has been creating several other opportunities for the public to learn about the history of these pioneers.

"We have a traveling exhibit. We published two books: 'Grandmothers Feed US Love' and 'A Brand New Start: This is Home.'" Gaston reveals. "We did the bus stops. These five bus stops have the images of the shipyard workers. But most important is that QR code. You can put your phone up to it and you can get all the education that you need about Marin City's Black history."

Gaston is proud to be telling these stories from the past, but she is also excited about what it means for the future.

"What we want the community to know is that we have to still carry on their resilience. We want to carry on their determination," Gaston proudly declares. "The legacy is to keep the history alive. "

For more information, visit this website.