Chinese Camp, California
Encyclopedia
Chinese Camp is a census-designated place
(CDP) in Tuolumne County
, California
, United States
. The population was 126 at the 2010 census, down from 146 at the 2000 census. It lies in the grassy foothills of the Sierra Nevada near the southern end of California's Gold Country
.
mining town. The settlement was first known as "Camp Washington" or "Washingtonville" and one of the few remaining streets is Washington Street. Some of the very first Chinese laborers arriving in California in 1849 were driven from neighboring Camp Salvado and resettled here, and the area started to become known as "Chinee" or "Chinese Camp" or "Chinese Diggings". At one point the town was home to an estimated 5,000 Chinese. Consequently, there were several Joss house
s.
The Chinese Camp post office was established in the general store on April 18, 1854. This building is currently vacant, and a post office is in operation on a plot of land rented from a local resident.
An 1892 Tuolumne County history indicates that, in 1856, four of the six Chinese companies (protective associations) had agents here and that the first tong war (between the Sam Yap and Yan Woo tong
s) was fought near here when the population of the area totaled several thousand. The actual location is several miles away, past the 'red hills', near the junction of Red Hills Road and J-59.
An 1860 diary says Chinese Camp was the metropolis for the mining district, with many urban comforts. While placer mining
had played out in much of the Gold Country by the early 1860s, it was still active here as late as 1870. An 1899 mining bulletin listed the total gold production of the area as near US$2.5 million.
Chinese Camp is the location and subject of California Historical Landmark
423 - The Saint Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church
, established in 1849, making it the oldest church in the county. The church was renovated in 1949 by John Nicolini and is still maintained out of private funds by a local resident. The church itself is owned by the Stockton
archdiocese.
The current Chinese Camp School is very distinctive, having been designed by Dolores Nicolini in the style of a Chinese
pagoda
. This school has been in operation since 1970. Previously, the school was in a building near the church. This building was lost in a fire on May 4, 2006. The fire was caused by carelessness on the part of several local individuals.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²), 99.72% of it land and 0.28% of it water.
was 139.9 people per square mile (54.0/km²). The racial makeup of Chinese Camp was 92 (73.0%) White, 0 (0.0%) African American, 7 (5.6%) Native American, 0 (0.0%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 16 (12.7%) from other races
, and 11 (8.7%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 25 persons (19.8%).
The Census reported that 126 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 50 households, out of which 15 (30.0%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 23 (46.0%) were opposite-sex married couples
living together, 2 (4.0%) had a female householder with no husband present, 6 (12.0%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 5 (10.0%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
, and 1 (2.0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 15 households (30.0%) were made up of individuals and 6 (12.0%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52. There were 31 families
(62.0% of all households); the average family size was 3.23.
The population was spread out with 30 people (23.8%) under the age of 18, 11 people (8.7%) aged 18 to 24, 24 people (19.0%) aged 25 to 44, 46 people (36.5%) aged 45 to 64, and 15 people (11.9%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.5 years. For every 100 females there were 106.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.7 males.
There were 60 housing units at an average density of 66.6 per square mile (25.7/km²), of which 36 (72.0%) were owner-occupied, and 14 (28.0%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.6%; the rental vacancy rate was 0%. 99 people (78.6% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 27 people (21.4%) lived in rental housing units.
of 2000, there were 146 people, 57 households, and 38 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 162.5 people per square mile (62.6/km²). There were 64 housing units at an average density of 71.2 per square mile (27.5/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 91.78% White, 1.37% African American, 3.42% Native American, 0.68% Asian, 0.68% from other races
, and 2.05% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.64% of the population.
There were 57 households out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples
living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% were non-families. 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 28.1% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 9.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 117.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.0 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $31,875, and the median income for a family was $35,833. Males had a median income of $25,833 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $11,501. There were 20.6% of families and 22.7% of the population living below the poverty line, including 36.4% of under eighteens and 14.3% of those over 64.
Chinese Camp is located in the 14th Senate
District, represented by Republican
Tom Berryhill
, and in the 25th Assembly
District, represented by Republican Kristin Olsen
. Federally, Chinese Camp is located in California's 19th congressional district
, which has a Cook PVI
of R +10 and is represented by Republican Jeff Denham
.
, the Chinese Camp brodiaea.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) in Tuolumne County
Tuolumne County, California
Tuolumne County is a county in the Sierra Nevada of the U.S. state of California. The northern half of Yosemite National Park is located in the eastern part of the county. As of the 2010 census, the population was 55,365, up from 54,501 at the 2000 census...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 126 at the 2010 census, down from 146 at the 2000 census. It lies in the grassy foothills of the Sierra Nevada near the southern end of California's Gold Country
Gold Country
Gold Country is a region in the central and northeastern part of California, United States. It is famed for the mineral deposits and gold mines that attracted waves of immigrants, known as the 49ers, during the 1849 California Gold Rush.-Geography:State Route 49 was built through the Gold Country,...
.
History
Chinese Camp is the remnant of a notable California Gold RushCalifornia Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The first to hear confirmed information of the gold rush were the people in Oregon, the Sandwich Islands , and Latin America, who were the first to start flocking to...
mining town. The settlement was first known as "Camp Washington" or "Washingtonville" and one of the few remaining streets is Washington Street. Some of the very first Chinese laborers arriving in California in 1849 were driven from neighboring Camp Salvado and resettled here, and the area started to become known as "Chinee" or "Chinese Camp" or "Chinese Diggings". At one point the town was home to an estimated 5,000 Chinese. Consequently, there were several Joss house
Joss house
A Shenist temple or Chinese folk temple is a place for worshiping the variety of indigenous Chinese shen from Chinese folk religion and Chinese mythology....
s.
The Chinese Camp post office was established in the general store on April 18, 1854. This building is currently vacant, and a post office is in operation on a plot of land rented from a local resident.
An 1892 Tuolumne County history indicates that, in 1856, four of the six Chinese companies (protective associations) had agents here and that the first tong war (between the Sam Yap and Yan Woo tong
Tong
-Chinese:*Tang Dynasty, a dynasty in Chinese history when transliterated from Cantonese*Tong , a type of social organization found in Chinese immigrant communities*tong, pronunciation of several Chinese characters*See:...
s) was fought near here when the population of the area totaled several thousand. The actual location is several miles away, past the 'red hills', near the junction of Red Hills Road and J-59.
An 1860 diary says Chinese Camp was the metropolis for the mining district, with many urban comforts. While placer mining
Placer mining
Placer mining is the mining of alluvial deposits for minerals. This may be done by open-pit or by various surface excavating equipment or tunneling equipment....
had played out in much of the Gold Country by the early 1860s, it was still active here as late as 1870. An 1899 mining bulletin listed the total gold production of the area as near US$2.5 million.
Chinese Camp is the location and subject of California Historical Landmark
California Historical Landmark
California Historical Landmarks are buildings, structures, sites, or places in the state of California that have been determined to have statewide historical significance by meeting at least one of the criteria listed below:...
423 - The Saint Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, established in 1849, making it the oldest church in the county. The church was renovated in 1949 by John Nicolini and is still maintained out of private funds by a local resident. The church itself is owned by the Stockton
Stockton, California
Stockton, California, the seat of San Joaquin County, is the fourth-largest city in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California. With a population of 291,707 at the 2010 census, Stockton ranks as this state's 13th largest city...
archdiocese.
The current Chinese Camp School is very distinctive, having been designed by Dolores Nicolini in the style of a Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
pagoda
Pagoda
A pagoda is the general term in the English language for a tiered tower with multiple eaves common in Nepal, India, China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam and other parts of Asia. Some pagodas are used as Taoist houses of worship. Most pagodas were built to have a religious function, most commonly Buddhist,...
. This school has been in operation since 1970. Previously, the school was in a building near the church. This building was lost in a fire on May 4, 2006. The fire was caused by carelessness on the part of several local individuals.
Geography
Chinese Camp is located at 37°52′13"N 120°26′1"W (37.870294, -120.433526).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²), 99.72% of it land and 0.28% of it water.
2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that Chinese Camp had a population of 126. The population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 139.9 people per square mile (54.0/km²). The racial makeup of Chinese Camp was 92 (73.0%) White, 0 (0.0%) African American, 7 (5.6%) Native American, 0 (0.0%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 16 (12.7%) from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 11 (8.7%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 25 persons (19.8%).
The Census reported that 126 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 50 households, out of which 15 (30.0%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 23 (46.0%) were opposite-sex married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 2 (4.0%) had a female householder with no husband present, 6 (12.0%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 5 (10.0%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
POSSLQ
POSSLQ is an abbreviation for "Persons of Opposite Sex Sharing Living Quarters," a term coined in the late 1970s by the United States Census Bureau as part of an effort to more accurately gauge the prevalence of cohabitation in American households....
, and 1 (2.0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 15 households (30.0%) were made up of individuals and 6 (12.0%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52. There were 31 families
Family (U.S. Census)
A family or family household is defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes as "a householder and one or more other people related to the householder by birth, marriage, or adoption. They do not include same-sex married couples even if the marriage was performed in a state...
(62.0% of all households); the average family size was 3.23.
The population was spread out with 30 people (23.8%) under the age of 18, 11 people (8.7%) aged 18 to 24, 24 people (19.0%) aged 25 to 44, 46 people (36.5%) aged 45 to 64, and 15 people (11.9%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.5 years. For every 100 females there were 106.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.7 males.
There were 60 housing units at an average density of 66.6 per square mile (25.7/km²), of which 36 (72.0%) were owner-occupied, and 14 (28.0%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.6%; the rental vacancy rate was 0%. 99 people (78.6% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 27 people (21.4%) lived in rental housing units.
2000
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 146 people, 57 households, and 38 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 162.5 people per square mile (62.6/km²). There were 64 housing units at an average density of 71.2 per square mile (27.5/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 91.78% White, 1.37% African American, 3.42% Native American, 0.68% Asian, 0.68% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.05% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.64% of the population.
There were 57 households out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% were non-families. 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 28.1% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 9.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 117.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.0 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $31,875, and the median income for a family was $35,833. Males had a median income of $25,833 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $11,501. There were 20.6% of families and 22.7% of the population living below the poverty line, including 36.4% of under eighteens and 14.3% of those over 64.
Politics
In the state legislatureCalifornia State Legislature
The California State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of California. It is a bicameral body consisting of the lower house, the California State Assembly, with 80 members, and the upper house, the California State Senate, with 40 members...
Chinese Camp is located in the 14th Senate
California State Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. There are 40 state senators. The state legislature meets in the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The Lieutenant Governor is the ex officio President of the Senate and may break a tied vote...
District, represented by Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Tom Berryhill
Tom Berryhill
Tom Berryhill is a Republican politician in the United States who currently represents the 14th district in the California State Senate...
, and in the 25th Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
District, represented by Republican Kristin Olsen
Kristin Olsen
Kristin Olsen is an American politician currently serving in the California State Assembly. She is a Republican representing the 25th district, encompassing Calaveras, Mariposa, Mono, and Tuolumne counties, and parts of Madera and Stanislaus counties...
. Federally, Chinese Camp is located in California's 19th congressional district
California's 19th congressional district
California's 19th congressional district is a congressional district located in the U.S. state of California that covers parts of Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, Tuolumne, and Stanislaus counties....
, which has a Cook PVI
Cook Partisan Voting Index
The Cook Partisan Voting Index , sometimes referred to as simply the Partisan Voting Index , is a measurement of how strongly an American congressional district or state leans toward one political party compared to the nation as a whole...
of R +10 and is represented by Republican Jeff Denham
Jeff Denham
Jeffrey John "Jeff" Denham is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party.He previously served two terms in the California State Senate, representing the 12th District, which includes Madera, Merced, Monterey, San Benito and Stanislaus counties. Denham was the second...
.
Natural history
Wilderness near Chinese Camp is the location of the last remaining known population of the federally listed threatened plant species Brodiaea pallidaBrodiaea pallida
Brodiaea pallida is a rare species of flowering plant in the cluster-lily genus known by the common name Chinese Camp brodiaea. It is endemic to California, where it is known from a two populations along the border between Tuolumne and Calaveras Counties...
, the Chinese Camp brodiaea.
External links
- Photographic virtual tour of Chinese Camp.
- Note: Although interesting, many of the descriptions are inaccurate and several prominent landmarks are omitted.
- Western Ghost Towns
- Chinese Camp history
- Landmark 423
- myMotherLode.com Community Guide