Chinese Stores

Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 7, 2008

1. Chinese Stores Marker

Inscription. These two stone buildings known as the Wah Hop and Man Lee Stores were built by Jonas Wilder before 1860and leased to Chinese merchants. Located at the edge of a large Chinese community, they sold traditional foods, clothing and other items. Such stores were also social centers and places for receiving news about other Chinese communities in the state. After a disastrous fire destroyed Coloma’s Chinese quarter in 1883, most of the Chinese left town.

Erected by Marshall Gold Discovery Site.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 48.087′ N, 120° 53.572′ W. Marker was in Coloma, California, in El Dorado County. It could be reached from State Highway 49. Marker is between the two Chinese stores located on Highway 49 across from the Sutter's Mill Replica parking area. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Coloma CA 95613, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in California’s Sacramento Metro,

in the Sierra Nevada,

and in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

It was also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it was in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Chinese Miners of the Mother Lode (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Chinese Stores

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(within shouting distance of this marker); James W. Marshall (within shouting distance of this marker); Mormon Workers Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); A Place to Gather and Work (within shouting distance of this marker); California Stamp Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Nelson Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); Sutter Mill Timbers (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Coloma.

Other markers no longer nearby. Mormon Cabin (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Sutter Mill Replica (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. The marker has been replaced with a different marker.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 7, 2008

2. Chinese Stores Marker

Man Lee Chinese Store image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle

3. Man Lee Chinese Store

This building now houses a small mining museum. The James W. Marshall marker is to the left.

Wah Hop Store and Bank image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle

4. Wah Hop Store and Bank

Chinese Stores image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle

5. Chinese Stores

View from Sutter's Mill Replica parking area

The Old Chinese Bank, an Early Building of the Gold Rush Days image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Frashers Foto

6. The Old Chinese Bank, an Early Building of the Gold Rush Days

Coloma, Calif. Recalls the most romantic and exciting Gold Rush Period the world has ever known. The new El Dorado, where James Marshall made his world-famous gold discovery on January 24, 1848, soon brought fabulous wealth to thousands, built great cities, and contributed largely towards the saving of the Union during the Civil War.

Chinese Stores image. Click for more information.

Photographed by Roger Sturtevant, March 26, 1934

7. Chinese Stores

Historic American Buildings Survey (Library of Congress) HABS CAL,9-COLO,5-
Click for more information.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,950 times since then and 104 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 8, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 7. submitted on May 18, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.