Frequently Asked Questions about Lauren DeForce Gordon Day
Why has Lodi Started Celebrating Laura DeForce Gordon Day?
For the fun of sharing Lodi’s exciting history as a wild-west town! Lodi may have been founded by hard-working farming families in 1869, but our railroad quickly attracted “boozy rascals” and “radical reformers.” Laura DeForce Gordon arrived in 1870 and got right to work convincing California’s voters – all male – to get sober and give women the right to vote. Today, playfully rediscovering Lodi’s quirky characters is a great way to encourage community: People who play together, stay together.
How much does admission cost to Laura DeForce Gordon Day?
In 2026 each ticket for ages 13 and up will cost $10. Ages 12 and under are free.
Why do you celebrate Laura DeForce Gordon Day in August when it's so hot?
Laura was born on August 17, 1838. We celebrate on the Saturday closest to her birthday.
Why do you have such silly games during Laura DeForce Day?
Our play has a purpose! Being a speaker here at the Booing Contest requires courage. Holding hands throughout the Legislative Obstacle Course requires teamwork through adversity. We're laughing, and being inspired too!
Does a participant need to by physically fit to join in?
Only you and your physician can decide whether you should participate, but a helpful rule of thumb might be, “Can you rise from a chair without using your hands?” You’ll need to do that during the Legislative Obstacle Course.
Why does Lola's Saloon only serve root beer and root beer floats?
Laura DeForce Gordon, like many activists of her day, was firmly opposed to drunkenness. She was a leader in the Lodi Anti-Saloon League and worked with the Women’s Christian Temperance Union trying to make alcohol illegal in California. A&W Root Beer was invented here in Lodi as an alternative to alcohol, so using Laura’s family nickname of Lola we think it’s only proper that we serve Lodi’s favorite nonalcoholic beverage in her “saloon.”
What's up with Mary Tindell's Hat Shoppe?
Mary Ellen Tindell was one of Lodi's first milliners. She had a shop on Sacramento Street in the 1880s. At LDG Day 2026 we'll be raising funds for the Laura DeForce Gordon Prize, so hats like these will be for sale. How much will they cost? Well, what is the highest dollar amount you can possibly imagine donating? That's your cost.
Are there sites around Lodi that commemorate Laura DeForce Gordon?
Here are five good sites to remember her:
In 1906 Laura helped found Lodi’s Woman’s Club, so there’s a bronze plaque dedicated to her outside of the Woman’s Club building, 325 W Pine Street.
Her brother John DeForce built a sturdy house for Laura where Duncan Press is now, 25 W Lockeford Street. The street just north of that site is named De Force Avenue.
She attempted to establish a colony exclusively for unmarried suffragists where the Lodi Eagles Lodge is now, 217 E Lockeford Street.
Laura owned 119 E Locust Street and her family members lived there until the 1980s.
Laura and several of her family members are buried in Harmony Grove Cemetery behind the old church at 11455 Locke Rd, Lockeford, CA 95237. The Cemetery is open daily 8am-5pm. From the church’s parking lot, walk through the Cemetery’s main entrance, continue north on “Home of Peace” for 50 steps and turn right for 15 steps. You’ll see the obelisk with DeForce family names. Laura’s smaller headstone is at the front of the plot. A bronze plaque describes the many works of Laura and of her sister Gertie DeForce Cluff.
Laura DeForce Gordon was racist and worked to get Chinese expelled from California. Why would you celebrate her?
It’s true that she was not a perfect person by today’s standards or even by the standards of her time. At Laura DeForce Gordon Day we address the racism in a forthright and educational way with guidance from the local Chinese-American community. We believe that it does no one good to pretend that these things didn’t happen and we’re mindful that despite the unsavory things we’ve learned about Thomas Jefferson, tours of Monticello have incorporated the new information and are still going strong.
Where can I learn more about Laura DeForce Gordon?
I’d like to help make next year’s Laura DeForce Gordon Day even greater. How can I connect?
We welcome everyone who believes that women's voices are important, especially media, “worker bees,” artists, and game contestants! Send an email with “Laura DeForce Gordon” in the subject line to President@ExploreLodi.org.