Induction of the Chinese Railroad Workers into the Labor Hall of Honor
From: "Sue Lee" suelee@chsa.org
Subject: Induction of the Chinese Railroad Workers into the Labor Hall of Honor
Subject: Induction of the Chinese Railroad Workers into the Labor Hall of Honor
Your site is terrific!
Thought you might be interested in this ceremony on Friday May 9, 2014.
Link to the webcast May 9, 2014.
Sue Lee
Executive Director
Chinese Historical Society of America
965 Clay Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
posted from CPRR Discussion Group at 10:25 PM
7 Comments:
From: "Stephen Harris" stephenh321@gmail.com
It warms me greatly to learn that, finally, some real recognition is being bestowed upon the many thousands of Chinese railroad workers who played such a big role in developing the western United States. As a resident of Truckee, California and member of the local Truckee-Donner Historical Society, I have become keenly aware of the Chinese-American accomplishments in this area, as well as the shameful maltreatment these same people endured at the hands of the White establishment. I am currently working on a research paper dealing with this very subject – hopefully to be published this year. I have some very definite ideas on how the Chinese laborers should be commemorated. ...
—Stephen Harris, Truckee-Donner Historical
Society
The history of the Chinese railroad workers is a difficult topic with no first hand written accounts from the Chinese workers and so much conflicting information and varying opinions.
See,
Chinese Accuracy
Chinese Immigration
Chinese at Promontory
How much were Chinese paid?
Wages
Deaths
Dead Chinese
Fudging facts doesn't promote tolerance
Chinese railroad workers
Chinese Articles
Chinese Laborers
Chinese Railroad Worker Syllabus
The CPRR Museum would be most grateful to receive comments, if any information on this website is found to be in need of correction.
From: "Sue Lee" msuelee@gmail.com
Subject: Fwd: Video highlights from DOL Hall of Honor Induction - May 9
The Chinese Historical Society of America is pleased to share these video highlights from last Friday’s ceremony.
Fifteen descendants attended the ceremony. We will be posting clips of their post-ceremony remarks soon. ...
—Sue
From: "Denny Dickinson" echosdad@hotmail.com
Subject: Chinese Rail Worker History
I watched the video highlights of the induction of the Chinese Rail Workers into the US Labor Departments Hall of Honor. I have forwarded this video to some friends here in Truckee, CA who may and should have an interest in the contribution that the Chinese made here in my home town.
I am a local Truckee historian who has studied the Trout Creek Watershed for over six years. When I do research on the creek I have to look, at the railroad, the lumber industry, the ice harvest industry, and of course the Chinese. The Chinese had a presence in all of this. There is a simple fact that Chinese history has been forgotten in our local history. The transcontinental could not have been build over Donner Summit and to the Nevada State Line without Chinese labor. This story needs to be told.
As a Truckee historian, I am ashamed to say that the Chinese are not recognized for their labor in this area. There is one only one building in Tructkee today that even acknowledges the fact that the Chinese even had a present here. The Chinese Herb on the corner of Bridge Street and South River Street has been restored to the credit of the owner. I am sorry to say that most residents and visitors to Truckee do not know that this building exist. This story needs to be told.
Not many people do not know about the "Truckee Method." The good citizens burned the Chinese out of Truckee. When that didn't work they use the boycott as a tool to force them out. This story needs to be told.
There is a project here in Truckee to build a pocket park at the corner of Bridge Street and Jiboom Street. This was were Joseph Grey built his way station in 1863 to service the travelers on the California Emigrant Trail. I have made a request to the developers of this very small pocket park to dedicate this area to the Chinese laborers. I have suggested that they make this park a Chinese herb garden and erect an monument to honor the contribution the Chinese make here in Truckee. This would give this park some meaning that people from all over the wold would visit, besides the local having lunch at this park from time to time if ever.
The developers need funding to build this pocket park. Would it be possible for the Chinese History of America to help fund this project if it were in fact a park dedicated to the Chinese?
The Truckee Donner Historical Society has a lot of history available for Chinese research. Our library is open on Thursday 10 to 2 and on Sunday 12 to 4. We also have a jail museum that is open on Truckee Thursday and on the weekends. I would like to extend and open invitation to any researcher who would like to visit our historical facilities. I am sure that an effort will be made to open our library or museum to any researcher upon a request.
The Truckee Donner Historical Society could always you more Chinese history in their files for research that you may have available. Please send us any historical information that may pertain to our local history. Thank you for your attention and interest in this matter. I look forward to hearing from you.
—Denny Dickinson - Truckee Trout Creek Historian
From: "Stephen Harris" stephenh321@gmail.com
I wish to second the concerns and proposals of Denny Dickinson ... I too am a member of Truckee-Donner Historical Society with a keen interest in Truckee's Trout Creek – having spent much time in its canyon and along its banks in all seasons over the past 20+ years. This Creek is inseparable from local Chinese history (the infamous "Trout Creek Outrage" of 1876 being but one of many reasons). The Creek is also inseparable from Railroad history, as well as the history of several other local industries of the past. All these industries, especially the Railroad, are in turn inseparable from the Chinese-Americans who labored so diligently and productively to enable their success.
On this account, I am in addition engaged in a critical study of the Chinese-American presence in Truckee, having never been quite satisfied with the "standard story." My research has thus far confirmed my suspicions: that much of the Chinese history has been obscured and distorted, and needs to be corrected. I hope to prepare a fully annotated research article on the subject – possibly it will stimulate further interest from the Railroad and the various Chinese-American history associations.
I soundly agree with Mr. Dickinson that much more commemoration is due to the Chinese professionals and laborers who accomplished so much under such adverse conditions. I consider them among America's greatest pioneers, and am formulating some specific ideas to let this be more widely known. ...
—Stephen Harris, Truckee, CA
Surprised to read the term "Chinese professionals"as working on the construction of the first transcontinental railroad. Thought that the 12,000 or so job positions for Chinese railroad workers were for laborers. Is there any primary source documentation, such as payrolls, showing any Chinese professionals such as engineers having ever worked for the CPRR?
The Joint Committee hearing included testimony of a "low class of labor that the Chinamen are now doing", not referring to any professionals.
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