Pierce in Clearwater County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)

Chinese Hanging

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, May 6, 2018

1. Chinese Hanging Marker

Inscription.
Charged with hacking a prominent local merchant to pieces, five Chinese were hanged here by vigilantes Sept. 18, 1885.

They were just setting out on a long, hard 240 mile trip from Pierce to face trial at the county seat in Murray when the vigilantes struck. A large group of armed, masked men forced the deputy sheriff and his posse to give up the Chinese prisoners and to return to Pierce. A marked trail leads 365 feet from here to the site where this incident occurred.

Erected by Idaho Department of Transportation. (Marker Number 307.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Civil Rights • Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Idaho State Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 18, 1885.

Location. 46° 28.284′ N, 115° 49.08′ W. Marker is in Pierce, Idaho, in Clearwater County. It is on State Highway 11 at milepost 27 near Fromelt Road, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pierce ID 83546, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this

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marker is in North Idaho — Idaho’s Panhandle.

It is also in the American Mountain West,

specifically in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Gold Discovered (a few steps from this marker); Pierce Gold Rush (a few steps from this marker); Boom & Chinese of Pierce (within shouting distance of this marker); Murder & Vigilantes (within shouting distance of this marker); Oro Fino City (approx. one mile away); Chinese Cemetery (approx. 1.4 miles away); Pierce Courthouse (approx. 1.6 miles away); a different marker also named Pierce Courthouse (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pierce.

Also see . . . Site of the Chinese Hanging Tree - The No Place Project. A perfunctory investigation of the original murder took place the following year at the request of the Governor, and it quickly concluded that the Chinese were the guilty parties. No one was ever charged with
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, May 6, 2018

2. Chinese Hanging Marker
the murders of the Chinese. (Submitted on August 10, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 5,920 times since then and 230 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 10, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.