Weaverville in Trinity County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Won Lim Miao

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 2, 2012

1. Won Lim Miao Marker

Inscription. Hundreds of Chinese miners came to the Weaverville area in the 1850’s and prospered despite hardships, discrimination and tax on foreign miners. The first house of worship burned in 1873; the Chinese continued their religious traditions in the present temple, dedicated April 18, 1874. Moon Lim Lee, trustee and grandson of one of its contributors, gift-deeded the “Temple Amongst the Forest Beneath the Clouds” to the state.

Erected 1980 by State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with Trintarianus Chapter No. 62, E Clampus Vitus. (Marker Number 709.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, the Chinese Heritage Sites of the American West, and the E Clampus Vitus series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is April 18, 1912.

Location. 40° 43.898′ N, 122° 56.417′ W. Marker is in Weaverville, California, in Trinity County. Marker can be reached from Main Street (California Route 3 / 229), on the right when traveling south. The marker is located on the grounds of the Weaverville Joss House State Historic Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 630 Main Street, Weaverville CA 96093, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Joss House (a few steps from this marker); Pacific Brewery (within shouting distance of this marker); Weaverville Chinatown (within shouting distance of this marker); Cameron Building Site (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Weaverville Fire Station (about 300 feet away); E Clampus Vitus 1855 & 1962 (about 400 feet away); Weaverville / Mountain Charlie (about 400 feet away); Trinity Congregational Church (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Weaverville.

Regarding Won Lim Miao.
In January of 1848 there were only 54 Chinese men and one Chinese woman living in California. By the end of 1849 there were several thousand.1 The California Gold Rush attracted settlers from around the world and a considerable portion of them came from China. The Chinese immigrants populated frontier towns and mining camps throughout the territory. One of the largest Chinese settlements in California was located in Weaverville. The town was once home to approximately 2,000 Chinese immigrants.

The Joss House is the oldest continuously used Chinese Temple in California. Built in 1874 this Taoist Temple is still a place of worship with the alter still the place for most of the original artifacts. In 1956 it became part of the California

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 2, 2012

2. Won Lim Miao Marker

State Parks System in order to preserve and maintain the temple's history.

Daoism stands alongside Confucianism as one of the two great religious/philosophical systems of China. Traditionally traced to the mythical Laozi “Old Philosopher,” Philosophical Daoism owes more to “philosopher Zhuang” (Zhuangzi) (4th Century BCE). Daoism is an umbrella that covers a range of similarly motivated doctrines. The term “Daoism” is also associated with assorted naturalistic or mystical religions. Sometimes the term “Lao-Zhuang Philosophy” is used to distinguish the philosophical from the more religious “Huang-Lao” (Yellow Emperor-Laozi) strain of Daoist thought.

Also see . . .
1. Weaverville Joss House State Historic Park. Wikipedia entry/ (Submitted on September 8, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Religious Daosim. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry (Submitted on September 8, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

3. Moon Lim Lee - Find a Grave. Moon Lee was a prominent Weaverville resident and the last remaining descendant of the Chinese miners that came to Trinity County during the Gold Rush. (Submitted on June 6, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Weaverville Joss House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 2, 2012

3. Weaverville Joss House

The Temple of the Forest Beneath The Clouds image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 2, 2012

4. The Temple of the Forest Beneath The Clouds

Weaverville Joss House Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 2, 2012

5. Weaverville Joss House Entrance

Weaverville Joss House Altar image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress, n/a

6. Weaverville Joss House Altar

Moon Lim Lee image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 1, 2012

7. Moon Lim Lee

1903 – 1985 A man who, with his wife Sue Lee, served his state, community, and cultural heritage with infinite distinction, warmth generosity, and energy. The extent of his extraordinary service was equaled only by the number of his friends and those he helped. This monument is dedicated as a tribute to all the love and benefits he bestowed upon this land and its people.
Rotary Club of Weaverville and Friends

Moon Lim Lee Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 1, 2012

8. Moon Lim Lee Plaque

Lee was the last caretaker of the Weaverville Joss House, the Temple of the Forest Beneath The Clouds. In 1956 he donated the temple to the State of California. It is now a California State Park. The Lee plaque is in the Moon Lim Lee Rest Area, about 1 mile north of Douglas City, California.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 8, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,147 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on June 6, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.