History Park in San Jose in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Replica 1888 Ng Shing Gung – Temple of Five Gods

Chinese American Historical Museum

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado

1. Replica 1888 Ng Shing Gung – Temple of Five Gods Marker

Inscription. The original Ng Shing Gung was constructed in 1888 in Heinlenville, the last of five San Jose Chinatowns. Heinlenville was named after John Heinlen, a German immigrant, who helped the Chinese after the Market Street Chinatown fire in 1887. Ng Shing Gung stood on the corner of Taylor and 6th Street. The building served the Chinese community as a meeting hall, cultural center, school, hostel, and place of worship. Today, the building is a historical museum, showcasing the Chinese American pioneers of the Santa Clara Valley.

Upon entrance to the building, the story and artifacts of the previous Chinatowns are in free-standing exhibit cases, also a pictorial timeline starting in 1850 of the USA, San Jose, and China. The second floor houses the original temple altar in all its restored splendor. The altar pieces show off the elaborate hand-carved gilded teak woodwork that was made in Canton City, China in 1892.

In 1987, Chinese Historical & Cultural Project (CHCP), a non-profit organization was formed to raise funds for the reconstruction of the Ng Shing Gung building as a Chinese historical museum. Over $800,000 was raised between 1987- 1991. The Chinese American Historical Museum was dedicated on September 29, 1991 and gifted to the community.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

• Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.

Location. 37° 19.19′ N, 121° 51.493′ W. Marker is in San Jose, California, in Santa Clara County. It is in History Park. It can be reached from the intersection of Phelan Avenue and Senter Road, on the left when traveling east. The resin marker is mounted on wood posts to the left of the building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 635 Phelan Avenue, San Jose CA 95112, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area,

in Silicon Valley,

and on the Coast Ranges.

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 walking distance of this marker: The Printing Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Warburton’s Office (within shouting distance of this marker); The Print Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); Mayor Janet Gray Hayes (within shouting distance of this marker); Pacific Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Rod Diridon Sr. Trolley Barn (within shouting distance of this marker); O’Brien’s (within shouting distance of this marker); Bank of Italy (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Jose.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Ng Shing Gung (was here, next to this marker).

More about this marker. Inset Images:
Ng Shing Gung, original location on Cleveland

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, June 24, 2023

2. Replica 1888 Ng Shing Gung – Temple of Five Gods Marker

Avenue, San Jose, CA, c. 1900.
Top: Original Ng Shing Gung Altar located on the second floor; bottom: Altar at original location with Mercury News reporter, Patricia Loomis, c1948.
Museum interior exhibits include a Time Line depicting events in the US, San Jose and China; and a “Good Luck” Lion, made in Fat Shen, China, c. 1930.
To learn more about the Chinese American Historical Museum, please visit our websites: www.chcp.org & www.historysanjose.org
This sign made possible by a generous grant from the Farrington Historical Foundation.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Ng Shing Gung

First Floor Exhibits image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, June 24, 2023

3. First Floor Exhibits

Second Floor Altar image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, June 24, 2023

4. Second Floor Altar

Ng Shing Gung Temple, 1940 image. Click for full size.

By permission, San Jose Public Library, California Room

5. Ng Shing Gung Temple, 1940

History Park Map image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, June 24, 2023

6. History Park Map

El Camino Real bell in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 315 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 25, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 5, 6. submitted on June 26, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.