Chinese History

Chinese gold-seekers were in Trinity County as early as 1848.  By 1854, there were about 2,500 Chinese working in Trinity County placer mines.  Chinese settlements grew in Weaverville, Douglas City, Lewiston, Junction City, and on New River.  The Chinese miners often reworked mines that had been abandoned.

Weaverville’s Chinatown, located near the Tri Counties Bank on Main Street, contained stores, a bakery, and a restaurant. 

The Joss House, a Taoist temple, was built in 1873.  The original was built in 1853 but was burned in 1861.  After being rebuilt, the second temple burned in 1873.  The current temple is the oldest continuously used Chinese temple in California.