Sonora in Tuolumne County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

A Portal of the Past

Sonora Chinatown

Photographed by Liam Williams, April 25, 2026

1. A Portal of the Past Marker

Inscription. This monument is dedicated to the memory of the Chinese pioneers who for years made this section their home. It was a city within a city whose residents were isolated from their surrounding neighbors by a barrier of language, custom and religion. Originally known as the “Tigre” for years this area bore a somber reputation noted for the fondas and fandango houses that catered to Sonora’s rougher element. In the 1860’s, the Tigre began to assume an Oriental character and during the next century became known as Chinatown.

Erected 1974 by Tuolumne County Historical Society and the Sonora Redevelopment Agency.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 37° 59.1′ N, 120° 22.92′ W. Marker is in Sonora, California, in Tuolumne County. It is on South Stewart Street just south of Lyons Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 37 South Stewart Street, Sonora CA 95370, 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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Bradford Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Home of Wells Fargo & Company in Sonora (about 300 feet away); Veterans Memorial Building

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(about 400 feet away); Rehm Building (about 500 feet away); Sugg House (about 500 feet away); City Hotel (about 500 feet away); Yo-Semite House (about 600 feet away); Original Site of the Sonora Daily (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sonora.

More about this marker. This monument was constructed with bricks from the last building in Chinatown.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 2, 2012

2. A Portal of the Past Marker

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 4, 2012

3. A Portal of the Past Marker

Chinese Pioneers Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 5, 2012

4. Chinese Pioneers Monument

Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,389 times since then and 37 times this year. Last updated on May 29, 2026, by Liam Williams of Irvine, California. Photos: 1. submitted on May 29, 2026, by Liam Williams of Irvine, California. 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 9, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.