Parkwood in Madera County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Borden Chinese Cemetery

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 3, 2022

1. Borden Chinese Cemetery Marker

Inscription. The Central Pacific Railroad later Southern Pacific, neared the village of Arcola in the Alabama Colony in 1872 and as it was being built mainly with Chinese labor established near here a Chinese camp of 2,500 men. Leland Stanford named the railroad town 'Borden' for Dr. Joseph Borden, one of the Alabama settlers. Mortality was high among the Chinese and this acre cemetery was soon filled. Later the Chinese dispersed into domestic, agricultural, mining and lumber work. Many originally buried here have been removed to the home land of their ancestors. Many still sleep here in the home land of their decendants.

Erected by Jim Savage 1852 and Grub Gulch Chapter 41-49 E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Chinese Heritage Sites of the American West, and the E Clampus Vitus series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.

Location. 36° 55.43′ N, 120° 1.991′ W. Marker is in Parkwood, California, in Madera County. It is at the intersection

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of Avenue 12 and Road 28¼, on the right when traveling west on Avenue 12. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12152 Rd 28¼, Madera CA 93637, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Joaquin Valley,

specifically in the Central Valley,

and in the Sierra Nevada.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is 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 finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Borden Chinese Cemetery (here, next to this marker); Madera Zoo (approx. 2.9 miles away); Madera County Library Service (approx. 3 miles away); Madera to Yosemite Stage Route (approx. 3 miles away); Madera (approx. 5.2 miles away); a different marker also named Sycamore Point (approx. 7.3 miles away); Berenda (approx. 10.3 miles away); Dixieland School (approx. 11.4

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 3, 2022

2. Borden Chinese Cemetery Marker

Markers in the foreground with a small cluster of headstones in the background.

miles away).

Other markers no longer nearby. Sycamore Point (was approx. 7.3 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Sierra Sky Park (was approx. 10.8 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 3, 2022

3. Nearby sign

The cemetery is on the Historic Register of Madera County

Credits. This page was last revised on May 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 11, 2020, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. This page has been viewed 586 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 6, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.