Baker City in Baker County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
Chinese Shrine
1890
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 29, 2017
1. Chinese Shrine Marker
Inscription.
Chinese Shrine. This Chinese prayer house was used to honor the departing spirits by burning incense and prayer papers. The prayer papers were brown paper with some million little pinholes and pushed through the alter window. In traditional Chinese religion the many holes are believed to deter evil spirits who must pass through all the holes. By the time they have done so the deceased spirit safely escapes to the after life avoiding being a wandering spirit. Each spring Chinese visited the shrine during Ching Ming Festival to burn incense and put food offerings on the grave as a wandering spirit let undesirable things happen. The festival date is determined by the Lunar calender (sic) and usually occurs during the first of April. Marjorie Fong of Baker City furnished this Chinese History.
This Chinese prayer house was used to honor the departing spirits by burning incense and prayer papers. The prayer papers were brown paper with some million little pinholes & pushed through the alter window. In traditional Chinese religion the many holes are believed to deter evil spirits who must pass through all the holes. By the time they have done so the deceased spirit safely escapes to the after life avoiding being a wandering spirit. Each spring Chinese visited the shrine during Ching Ming Festival to burn incense & put food offerings on the grave as a wandering spirit let undesirable things happen. The festival date is determined by the Lunar calender (sic) & usually occurs during the first of April. Marjorie Fong of Baker City furnished this Chinese History.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.
Location. 44° 46.921′ N, 117° 48.463′ W. Marker is in Baker City, Oregon, in Baker County. Marker is on Windmill Road near Campbell Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Baker City OR 97814, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Baker City Chinese History (within shouting distance of this marker); Baker (approx. ¼ mile away);
More about this marker. The marker is located at the Baker City Chinese Cemetery.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 29, 2017
2. Chinese Shrine and Marker
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 29, 2017
3. Chinese Cemetery
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 29, 2017
4. Grave Depressions Where Bones Removed for Reburial in China
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 29, 2017
5. Cenotaph in the Baker City Chinese Cemetery
Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 10, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 269 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 10, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
