Truckee in Nevada County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Truckee's Chinatowns
Photographed by Ysterdad, October 2, 2026
1. Truckee's Chinatowns Marker
Between 1867 and 1886, there were two Chinatowns in Truckee. The first Chinatown sprouted up along Jibboom Street. This supported Chinese working as subcontractors for the Central Pacific Railroad building the Transcontinental Railroad. The Old Truckee Jail was built on former Chinese property after a large fire in 1875.
After even more fires continually destroyed parts of downtown Truckee, a second Chinatown was planned and developed in 1879. It was located just across the railroad tracks and the Truckee River bridge. In late 1885 and early 1886, an "economic boycott" was employed to effectively rid the town of Chinese. The one remaining Chinese structure is the Herb Shop located next to the Truckee River bridge.
This plaque recognizes the contributions Chinese made to Truckee's viability and sustainability. Chinese businesses supported both the Chinese residents and the rest of Truckee's population. Their contributions to Truckee's development were made in the face of discrimination and are to be admired.
Erected 2024 by Nevada County Historical Landmarks Commission and Truckee-Donner Historical Society. (Marker
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Railroads & Streetcars.
Location. 39° 19.678′ N, 120° 11.211′ W. Marker is in Truckee, California, in Nevada County. It is at the intersection of Jibboom Street and Spring Street, on the left when traveling east on Jibboom Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10142 Jibboom Street, Truckee CA 96161, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Sierra Nevada. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, on 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: Old Truckee Jail (here, next to this marker); World War I Memorial / Victory Highway Monument Rededication (within shouting distance of this marker); Truckee (about 300 feet away, measured
Photographed by Ysterdad, October 2, 2026
2. Truckee's Chinatowns Marker
View of the marker from across Jibboom Street
More about this marker. Marker is outside the Old Truckee Jail
Also see . . . Historic Chinatown in Truckee honored with new landmark plaque (Sierra Sun, May 14, 2024). (Submitted on October 31, 2026.)
Additional keywords. Chinatown
Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2026, by Ysterdad of Concord, California. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on October 30, 2026, by Ysterdad of Concord, California. 2. submitted on October 31, 2026, by Ysterdad of Concord, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
