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

Borden Chinese Cemetery

1. Borden Chinese Cemetery Marker

Inscription. This one-acre cemetery was created in 1872 by and for the 2,500 Chinese laborers who were building the Central Pacific, later named Southern Pacific, railroad south from Sacramento. A tiny town, mostly tents was established beside the tracks and was named Borden for Dr. Joseph Borden, a prominent settler in the Alabama Colony, which surrounded this area. Many of the men originally buried here were, according to custom, later removed and reburied in their home villages in China. Those who were not removed were either unidentified or their home villages were unknown, Many of these graves were unmarked.

An E Clampus Vitus plaque was originally dedicated here Oct. 10, 1966,
Replaced and rededicated April 3, 1993 by Jim Savage Chapter 1852 and Grub Gulch Chapter 41-49 E Clampus Vitus

Erected by Jim Savage Chapter 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 date for this entry is April 3, 1993.

Location. 36° 55.43′ N, 120° 1.992′ W. Marker

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

is in Parkwood, California, in Madera County. It is at the intersection 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 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).

Borden Chinese Cemetery Altar and Marker image. Click for full size.

2. Borden Chinese Cemetery Altar and Marker

The marker is visible to the left of the altar.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 3, 2022

3. Borden Chinese Cemetery Marker

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 1,745 times since then and 145 times this year. Last updated on May 6, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 11, 2020. 3. submitted on May 12, 2022. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.