Lewiston in Nez Perce County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)

Lewiston's Chinese Community

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 7, 2018

1. Lewiston's Chinese Community Marker

Inscription. The discovery of gold in 1860 and the founding of Lewiston in 1861 attracted many Chinese to the area.
By 1870 approximately 1500 Chinese lived here. They worked as merchants, laborers, laundrymen and vegetable farmers. Exhausted gold fields, restrictive immigration laws, and an aging male population reduced their numbers to around 100 in the early 1900s. Their descendants continue to be important to the community.

Erected by Idaho Department of Transportation. (Marker Number 494.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Asian Americans. In addition, it is included in the Idaho State Historical Society series list.

Location. 46° 25.362′ N, 117° 1.944′ W. Marker is in Lewiston, Idaho, in Nez Perce County. Marker can be reached from D Street near Dike Bypass, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 D Street, Lewiston ID 83501, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Tsceminicum (within shouting distance of this marker); Firsts in Lewiston (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Kettenbach Building (about 600 feet away); Pacific Northwest Bell Building (Historic Name)

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(about 700 feet away); Old City Hall (about 700 feet away); Lewis and Clark (about 800 feet away); a different marker also named Lewis and Clark (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of Luna House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lewiston.

More about this marker. The marker is located in the Lewiston Levee Recreation Trail, Lower Granite Lake parking lot.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 7, 2018

2. Lewiston's Chinese Community Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 15, 2018. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 290 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 15, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.