9/27/2017

Chinese Camp California

Chinese Camp California

Chinese Camp Rail Stop

Chinese Camp was settled during the 1849 gold rush. Many of the first residents of Chinese Camp were Chinese miners who had been evicted from nearby towns. Various sources suggest that the population of Chinese camp was as high as 5,000. The census of 1870 counted 2,220 making Chinese Camp the second largest town in Tuolumne county at that time, behind Sonora. The census of 1860 doesn't distinguish Chinese Camp but the 1870 census indicates that 1,968 whites were counted in Chinese Camp in 1860. In 1870 the white population of Chinese Camp was 1,540 and the Chinese population only 664. I suspect that Chinese residents were often under counted in the censuses of that era. It's clear anyway that the population of Chinese Camp in it's heyday was substantial and mixed. Today the population of Chinese Camp is 126.

 

Chinese Camp, CA

Chinese Camp, California

Most of the remaining historic buildings in Chinese Camp are unoccupied, dilapidated and it seemed that very little if anything was being done to preserve them. The Main street had no current residents or businesses when I visited in early 2011 and again in 2014. Most of the remaining residents live near the historic main street but in newer homes. A few foundations of former buildings are visible beneath vegetation and a dozen or so mostly wooden period buildings are still standing. I was sad to see that no preservation efforts were underway. It was nice though to walk down the otherwise empty main street. It's well worth stopping in for a look if you're driving down Highway 49.

 

Chinese Camp, CA

Chinese Camp, California

Chinese Camp, CA

Chinese Camp, California

Chinese Camp, CA

Chinese Camp, California

Chinese Camp, CA

Chinese Camp, California

Chinese Camp, CA

Chinese Camp, California

Chinese Camp, CA

Chinese Camp, California

Chinese Camp, CA

Chinese Camp, California

Chinese Camp, CA

Chinese Camp, California

Chinese Camp, CA

Chinese Camp, California

Chinese Camp, CA

Chinese Camp, California

Chinese Camp, CA

Chinese Camp, California

Chinese Camp, CA

Chinese Camp, California

Chinese Camp, CA

Chinese Camp, California

Chinese Camp, CA

Chinese Camp, California

Chinese Camp, CA

Chinese Camp, California

 

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