Chinese Camp in Tuolumne County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Chinese Camp
| | Mark Twain Bret Harte Trail | |
Photographed by Karen Key, March 25, 2007
1. Chinese Camp Marker
Reportedly founded about 1849 by group of Englishmen who employed Chinese as miners. Much surface gold found on hills and flats. Headquarters for stage lines in early 1850s, and for several California Chinese mining companies. First Chinese Tong War in state fought near here between Sam Yap and Yan Woo tongs. Present stone and brick post office built 1854, still standing. St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church build 1855, restored 1949. First pastor, Father Henry Aleric.
Erected 1949 by California Centennials Commission. (Marker Number 423.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Immigration • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, the Chinese Heritage Sites of the American West, and the Mark Twain Bret Harte Trail series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.
Location. 37° 52.257′ N, 120° 25.88′ W. Marker is in Chinese Camp, California, in Tuolumne County. It is at the intersection of Highway 120 and Main Street, on the left when traveling west on Highway 120. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chinese Camp CA 95309, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sierra Nevada. It is also in the American Mountain West. 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. To Honor Eddie Webb (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).
More about this marker. Most of Chinese Camp, including the historic Post Office, was destroyed by wildfire in September 2025. The church, school, and the store are the only historic buildings that survived the fire.
Also see . . .
1. Chinese Camp, California. (Submitted on March 31, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California.)
2. Prospecting - Chinese Placer Mining. [Original link broken. This link is from Archive.org] (Submitted on March 31, 2007.)
3. Historic Chinese Camp post office among buildings destroyed by lightning fire. (Youtube). (Submitted on September 3, 2025, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Photographed by Karen Key, March 25, 2007
2. Chinese Camp Marker
courtesy The Modesto Bee
3. Chinese Camp Marker
Town destroyed by wildfire in September 2025.
courtesy KRCA-3/NBC, September 3, 2025
4. Chinese Camp Post Office
Destroyed by wildfire in September 2025.
courtesy The Modesto Bee
5. Chinese Camp
Destroyed by wildfire in September 2025.
Photographed by Jack Forkner
6. Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church Sign
courtesy Forkner Photograpy caltel.com/~jforkner
Photographed by Jack Forkner
7. Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church
Survived the 2025 wildfire. Photo courtesy Forkner Photography www.caltel.com/~jforkner/
Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. This page has been viewed 4,838 times since then and 74 times this year. Last updated on May 29, 2026, by Liam Williams of Irvine, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 31, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 3, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 6, 7. submitted on June 20, 2012. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
