CSSDAR will place a DAR Historical Marker at the Chinese School (dedicated 1922) in Hanford, California, on Saturday, June 7, 2014, from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. The Chinese School is located at Temple Theater, 514 Visalia Street, Hanford, California. The State Society will host a reception following the ceremony in the city’s historic China Alley. There will also be docents available for tours of the Taoist Temple Museum (listed on the National Register of Historic Places).
Please make your reservations by completing the registration form on the CSSDAR Members’ website under “Latest Buzz.” We need an accurate count of attendees in order to plan for refreshments and seating. RESERVATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY MAY 24. Please follow directions on the form.
In California, the primary influence of the Chinese began in the mid-nineteenth century, when Chinese immigrants came to work in the gold fields of northeastern California. The 1870’s saw many massacres and forced relocations of the Chinese migrants into what became known as “Chinatowns.” The Chinese people isolated themselves for protection and cultural community. These Chinatowns formed in several areas of northern California; one in particular was established in Hanford and became known as China Alley.
The industrious Chinese people recognized needs in the community and provided services like restaurants, laundries, and grocery stores. Several present-day restaurants and markets in Hanford came from humble beginnings in China Alley. The people of China Alley, though clustered with other Chinese, learned English and served as interpreters.
Education was highly prized as was Chinese heritage. In order for children to learn of their culture and heritage, the Chinese community established a schoolroom in the basement of the Sue Chung Kee store in Hanford. After a short time, the classroom was moved next door to a room in the Taoist Temple. By 1922 the need was realized for a larger school and funds were raised to provide a permanent location for their children’s cultural education, grades K – 12. The curriculum included Chinese customs, culture, philosophy, literature, as well as oral and written language in order to see that their families’ heritage and personal histories were preserved. Children attended after their school day at the local public school and on Saturday. Within 30-35 years, however, the Chinese community diminished in size; families with school-aged children moved from the area; and the school was closed. Today, the school building is well-maintained and used regularly to provide another cultural dimension, live theatre, to the entire community.
Recommended hotels in Hanford:
1. Comfort Inn, 10 N. Irwin Street – (559) 584-9300
2. Sequoia Inn, 1655 Mall Drive – (559) 582-0338
3. Best Western, 755 Cadillac Lane – (559) 583-7300
4. Super 8, 918 E. Lacy Blvd. – (559) 582-1736
Please share this information with members who may wish to attend the event. A more detailed history will be in next week’s California Clarion. Read more about this historic section of Hanford, California, by going to http://chinaalley.com/
Adele Lancaster
State Historian
historian@californiadar.org