Established
in 1937
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I.V. 'Chinatown' brief, noisy history little known facet of valley's past
By ROGER BRANDT
Special to IVNMost of what we know about the Chinese in the early history of Illinois Valley has been passed on to us in stories told by the people who lived here during the gold rush years of the 1850s.
The following is a compilation of stories and memories about Chinese customs from the people who observed them.
Although these may not be accurate in every detail of Chinese custom, they do provide insight to the positive way the Chinese were remembered by Illinois Valley’s early prospectors and farmers.
In the town of Waldo, there was an area behind the store where Chinese residents built their huts in close, straight rows. This was probably the closest thing Illinois Valley ever had in the way of a “Chinatown.”
On the nights of their feasts, many lighted Chinese lanterns were hung all over the little Chinatown, and the noise of their firecrackers were heard for some distance.
If you were invited as a guest on New Year’s, you would be met at the doorway. Each of you would bow to the other and then turn and bow to others who were present. This was continued until each one had bowed to everyone. Then you were given a treat of coconut or hard, white candy that had very bright colors mixed through it.
The Chinese made some elaborate preparations for their New Year’s celebration, which made this an especially memorable event.
They first sent home for immense firecrackers, and while they were waiting for the arrival of these items, tin cans would be strung along the eaves of each house, side-by-side, from one end of the street to the other.
Upon the appointed day, a giant firecracker would be placed in each can, and each was tied to the other with a long fuse. Someone would go to the house farthest up the street and set the first one on fire. This would set off the next one and so on down the street to the end. This made one big bang after another.
They also liked to place a large number of firecrackers under pans and buckets, which were thrown high into the air by the exploding firecrackers.
After Chinatown had existed for a number of years, it all burned one night during one of their celebrations. That was the end of Illinois Valley’s Chinatown.
But despite its short history, it has left us with many memories that we can enjoy as we celebrate Josephine County’s sesquicentennial.
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