San Rafael in Marin County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Wa Jen Ha Lio

China Camp

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, March 27, 2017

1. Wa Jen Ha Lio Marker

Inscription. There are two markers on this monument One of the earliest, largest and most productive Chinese fishing villages in California, China Camp was in operation by 1870. The Chinese immigrants and their descendants introduced the use of commercial netting to catch bay shrimp off Point San Pedro. The shrimp were then dried and exported to Chinese throughout the world. China Camp represents the last surviving Chinese shrimp fishing village in California.

One of many Chinese shrimp camps on the bay, this site was home to several thousand Chinese from 1880 to 1905. Left unemployed by the completion of the Pacific Railroads, driven from the city by restrictive laws, they joined those already shrimping in the bay. Changes in the fishery and new laws caused a rapid decline in population, until today Frank Quan is the only original resident still living here.

Erected 1980 by California Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the Marin Chinese Cultural Group & E. Clampus Vitus, Yerba Buena Chapter No. 1. (Marker Number 924.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Industry & Commerce. In

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addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the E Clampus Vitus series lists.

Location. 38° 0.115′ N, 122° 27.762′ W. Marker is in San Rafael, California, in Marin County. Marker is on North San Pedro Road near Biscayne Drive, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 897 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael CA 94901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. China Camp (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Junk Grace Quan (about 600 feet away); East Brother Light Station (approx. 3.1 miles away); Marin County Civic Center (approx. 3.7 miles away); Mission San Rafael Arcangel (approx. 4 miles away); a different marker also named Mission San Rafael Arcangel (approx. 4 miles away); Marin (approx. 4 miles away); The Gate House (approx. 4.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Rafael.

China Camp Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, March 27, 2017

2. China Camp Marker

Wa Jen Ha Lio and China Camp Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, March 27, 2017

3. Wa Jen Ha Lio and China Camp Markers

China Camp from the bluff image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, March 27, 2017

4. China Camp from the bluff

Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 2, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 517 times since then and 19 times this year. Last updated on December 11, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 2, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.