Chinese Camp, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chinese Camp
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Main Street, Chinese Camp
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Location in Tuolumne County and the state of California
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 Chinese Camp, California
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County | Tuolumne |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.90 sq mi (2.33 km2) |
| • Land | 0.90 sq mi (2.33 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2) 0.28% |
| Elevation | 1,273 ft (388 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 90 |
| • Density | 100.22/sq mi (38.70/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−08:00 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−07:00 (PDT) |
| ZIP Code |
95309
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| Area code(s) | 209 |
| FIPS code | 06-13182 |
| GNIS feature ID | 233668 |
| Reference #: | 423 |
Chinese Camp is a small community in Tuolumne County, California. It is located in the grassy foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. This area is part of California's famous Gold Country.
In 2020, about 90 people lived here. Chinese Camp is recognized as California Historical Landmark #423, a special historical site since 1949.
Contents
Where is Chinese Camp Located?
Chinese Camp is found at coordinates 37.870294 degrees North and 120.433526 degrees West. It covers an area of about 0.9 square miles (2.33 square kilometers). Most of this area is land.
What is the Natural Environment Like?
The wilderness near Chinese Camp is home to a very rare plant. This plant is called Brodiaea pallida, or the Chinese Camp brodiaea. It is a federally protected species, meaning it is in danger and needs special care.
What is the History of Chinese Camp?
Chinese Camp started as an important mining town during the California Gold Rush. This was a time between 1849 and 1882 when many people came to California hoping to find gold. Thousands of Chinese immigrants arrived here looking for fortune. They often called California "Gold Mountain."
The settlement was first known as "Camp Washington" or "Washingtonville." One of its old streets is still called Washington Street. In 1849, some of the first Chinese workers in California were forced to leave a nearby area. They then settled here, and the place became known as "Chinee Camp" or "Chinese Diggings." At one point, about 5,000 Chinese people lived in this town.
The Chinese Camp post office opened on April 18, 1854. It was in the general store. Today, a new post office operates nearby.
In 1856, a historical conflict happened near Chinese Camp. It involved two large Chinese groups, the Sam Yap and Yan Woo. The actual location of this event is a few miles away, past the 'red hills'.
By 1860, Chinese Camp was a busy center for the mining district. It had many comforts of a city. Even though gold mining slowed down in other parts of Gold Country by the early 1860s, it was still active here until 1870. By 1899, reports showed that about US$2.5 million worth of gold had been found in the area.
Chinese Camp is recognized as California Historical Landmark #423. This landmark was dedicated on March 4, 1949.
The Saint Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church was built in 1855. This makes it the oldest church in Tuolumne County. It was fixed up in 1949 but has since become run down. The church belongs to the Stockton archdiocese.
The current Chinese Camp School is very unique. It was designed by Dolores Nicolini to look like a Chinese pagoda. This school has been open since 1970. Before that, the school was in a building near the church. That old building was destroyed in a fire on May 4, 2006.
Who Lives in Chinese Camp?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 90 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1850–1870 1880-1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 |
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In 2010, the population of Chinese Camp was 126 people. Most residents were White (73%). About 6% were Native American, and 13% were from other races. Around 20% of the people were Hispanic or Latino.
The population has changed over time. In 2000, there were 146 people. By 2020, the population was 90.
What is Montezuma?
Montezuma is a place just north of Chinese Camp. It is also a California Historical Landmark. Montezuma is currently a tungsten mine located high up at 9,439 feet.
A special marker on California State Route 49 tells its story. This marker, California Historical Landmark number 122, says:
- NO. 122 MONTEZUMA - Montezuma was first recorded in June 1850. At that time, partners Solomon Miller and Peter K. Aurand were attacked. Aurand was killed by a group of Mexicans. This happened during a time when there was tension over a tax for foreign miners. Because there wasn't much water, little mining happened here until 1852. Then, a ditch and flume were built to bring water for placer mining (a type of gold mining). The gravel here produced a good amount of gold. One gold nugget found in 1853 weighed 18 pounds, 8 ounces! By late 1852, about 800 people lived there. At its busiest, Montezuma City had four saloons, two hotels, a post office, a church, and many homes and tents. A fire almost destroyed the town on June 29, 1866.
See also
In Spanish: Chinese Camp para niños
