Candelario Gonzales was interviewed for the Port of Los Angeles Centennial Oral History Project. Candelario Gonzales, born on February 2, 1906, in Zacatecas, Mexico, immigrated to the United States with his family in 1920. His family settled in San Pedro, California, after initially arriving in Nogales, Arizona. The interview begins with Gonzales recounting his early life in Mexico and his family's reasons for immigrating to the United States. After his father passed away when Gonzales was three years old, his family faced economic hardships. They moved to the United States for better living conditions, aided by Gonzales's uncle, who was already settled in Los Angeles. Gonzales describes their journey, arriving in Los Angeles on June 9, 1920, and the immediate transition to working life to support the family. Gonzales details his early work experiences, starting as a helper in a grocery store at fourteen, earning $1 a day with room and board. He quickly transitioned to working in the shipyards, then in the canneries, and finally in the lumberyards. He describes the various jobs he held, emphasizing the hard, often dangerous labor involved, particularly in the lumberyard where he sorted and loaded heavy lumber. Gonzales reflects on his efforts to learn English, which were hindered by the lack of opportunities to practice the language at work. Despite only attending school for one semester, he gradually learned English through work and community interactions. He shares his experiences during significant historical periods, such as the Great Depression and World War II, noting the changes in the labor market and the increased activity in the port and shipyards during the war. Gonzales also discusses his involvement in the formation of labor unions and the impact of unionization on working conditions. He describes the resistance from companies and the challenges workers faced in organizing for better pay and conditions. The interview provides insights into Gonzales's personal life, including his two marriages and family life. He recounts his ventures into the restaurant business, initially helping his nephew with a restaurant before opening his own, the Gonzales Restaurant, which he ran successfully for several decades. He reflects on the changes in the San Pedro community over the years, the evolving landscape of the port, and the cultural shifts within the Mexican-American community.