Baker City in Baker County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
Baker City Chinese History
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 29, 2017
1. Baker City Chinese History Marker
Inscription.
Baker City Chinese History. . Chinese were prominent working on railroads and gold mines in Baker County. The Baker City Chinatown was located by Powder River on Auburn Avenue where a Joss House was built in 1883. Chinese gardens on the east bank of Powder River between Springarden and Valley Ave were extensive. Working hard and living frugally they saved money to send home to family. They were subjected to all kinds of discrimination by law and excluded from the ballot box and witness stand in court. Thus Chinese were forced to labor as laundrymen, cooks, shepherds, and gardeners. Burials here were from 1880 to 1940. Remains were temporarily buried, bones exhumed, purified, returned to families in China, mostly Kwangtung Province as religious dictates required.
Chinese were prominent working on railroads & gold mines in Baker County. The Baker City Chinatown was located by Powder River on Auburn Avenue where a Joss House was built in 1883. Chinese gardens on the east bank of Powder River between Springarden & Valley Ave were extensive. Working hard & living frugally they saved money to send home to family. They were subjected to all kinds of discrimination by law and excluded from the ballot box and witness stand in court. Thus Chinese were forced to labor as laundrymen, cooks, shepherds, & gardeners. Burials here were from 1880 to 1940. Remains were temporarily buried, bones exhumed, purified, returned to families in China, mostly Kwangtung Province as religious dictates required.
Location. 44° 46.932′ N, 117° 48.474′ 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. Chinese Shrine (within shouting distance of this marker);
More about this marker. The marker is located at the Chinese Cemetery.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 29, 2017
2. Baker City Chinese History Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 14, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 10, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 406 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on September 10, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
