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Volume 062-4 - October 2008 (6 pages)
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Page: of 6
NCHS Bulletin October 2008
other towns such as in French Corral, Washington, North San
Juan and in Grass Valley.
What remains of the Chinese quarter today is situated on a
one block portion of Commercial Street between North Pine
and York streets. Only a few of the brick structures are left, the
cldest of which dates from 1880. A few Chinese businesses
remained as late as the 1920s. Today there are no Chinese in
what was once the Chinese Quarter; the only evidence that
they once were here is amonument erected in their memory.
“Chinese” Buildings Remaining Today
on Commercial Street
The following information is based on county records of
deeds and leases and upon the only available Sanborn Maps of
1885, 1891, 1898, 1905, 1912, 1915, 1938, and 1941. Additional information comes from newspaper accounts of the
day.
309—A vacant lot occupied this site until about 1891 when
the present structure was built. In 1891 it was a Chinese gambling hall. From about 1898 to 1938 it was a dwelling. 1941
records show it as a store.
311—This was one of the first structures to be built following the 1880 fire. From 1880 to 1891 it was shown as a gambling hall. In the lease between Stoddard and the Hop Yeck
Houng and Co. signed October 2, 1880 it was stipulated that
the building could not be used for prostitution. (Another lease
by the same group of Chinese on a building up the street had
no such restriction and did become a brothel.) During this
time it was raided for both gambling and opium as reported in
the local paper. From 1898 to 1938 it was a dwelling, and in
1941 is shown to be vacant. This building was occupied by Ah
Gin, who was a prominent member of the Chinese community
and highly respected by the non-Chinese. He was involved in
various commercial adventures, the most noted of which were
the vegetable farms and fruit orchards in the Brunswick basin
where Mc Donald’s now stands. Perhaps the earliest record of
a Chinese buying property on Commercial Street was Ah
Gin’s purchase of this building in 1913 from the estate of his
former landlord. The building stayed in Chinese ownership
until 1947.
312—built in 1885 this, along with the building next door.
are the most well-known buildings on Commercial Street and
have been the subject of many drawings, paintings and photographs over the years. From 1885 until 1898 it was a dwelling.
In 1905 it was briefly a store and from 1912 to 1941 it is
shown as a laundry. In 1927 it became the Sing Lee Laundry.
In two popular photographs taken in about 1910 and the late
1940s, the sign on the side of the building still reads; SAM KEE
LAUNDRY (circa 1910-1927.) SING LEE LAUNDRY signs were
on the front of the building from 1927 into the 1940s.
313—No details are known about this little building. It is
also one of the oldest remaining buildings having been built in
1880. In 1885 and 1891 it is shown as a store, in 1898 as a
dwelling, in 1905 as a store, 1912 and 1915 itis listed as storage and in 1938 and 1941 as being vacant.
2
The Sin Lee Laundry (above right) was located for many
years in this building at 312 Commercial street, just below
York Street. The building on the left was constructed about
1891 as a Chinese general store. Missing is the balcony in
front of the door on the second story. The two buildings are
a popular subject for photographers and artists. (Authors
photograph.)
Below is the Sin Lee Laundry from a different angle. In
2004 the two buildings were refurbished, and the property
int he back was landscaped. (Courtesy of Bob Wyckoff.)
315—This building was built in 1881 and is shown variously as a Chinese store and/or dwelling from 18851902.
From 1912-1915 it was vacant. The 1938 and 1941 maps