Point Loma in San Diego in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Chinese Fishing and Shipbuilding Site

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 30, 2015

1. Chinese Fishing and Shipbuilding Site Marker

Inscription. From around 1860 to the early 1890's, the Chinese had a fishing village at this site along the La Playa Trail. The village had ten shanties, drying racks and salting tanks. At the shore was a shipbuilding facility where Chinese junks were constructed in traditional design from China. The Sun Yun Lee, shown here; was the finest junk built in all California. Launched in 1884 on this site, the vessel had three masts and measured 52 feet in length, and 16 feet wide. It was built of redwood with masts and rudders made of ironwood from China. The fishermen had another village at the foot of Third Street near Chinatown where there abalone junks were anchored.They sailed these junks south along the Baja California coast to gather abalone. All the fresh fish needs of San Diego were supplied by the Chinese. Local merchants shipped marine products out of the Pacific Mail and Steamship Wharf at Fifth Avenue. By the early 1890's, due to the Chinese Exclusion Laws, the industry had to be abandoned. This monument commemorates the significant pioneer contributions of the Chinese fishermen to San Diego.

Erected 2012 by La Playa Trail

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Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.

Location. 32° 43.146′ N, 117° 13.871′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. It is in Point Loma. It is at the intersection of Talbot Street and Anchorage Lane, on the right when traveling south on Talbot Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Diego CA 92106, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Peninsular Ranges.

It is also in the American Borderlands

and on the Pacific Coast.

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Sportfishing Legacy (approx. half a mile away); USS Recruit (approx. 1.1 miles away); Old La Playa (approx. 1.1 miles

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 30, 2015

2. Chinese Fishing and Shipbuilding Site Marker

away); El Desembarcadero (approx. 1.2 miles away); Spanish Landing (approx. 1.6 miles away); North Chapel, Building 208 (approx. 1.6 miles away); Gun Platform No. 1 - 1945 (approx. 1.6 miles away); Ingram Plaza (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Diego.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 30, 2015

3. Chinese Fishing and Shipbuilding Site Marker

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 30, 2015

4. Chinese Fishing and Shipbuilding Site Marker

The Sun Yun Lee image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 30, 2015

5. The Sun Yun Lee

Chinese Fishing and Shipbuilding Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 30, 2015

6. Chinese Fishing and Shipbuilding Site

Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,077 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 9, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.