It is always sad to lose something that was built in the 1800’s, but it is particularly true in the case of Chinese Camp, as this recent fire destroyed the last block of historical buildings in the town. The only structure built before 1900 still intact is the Catholic Church, which was built in 1854.
As another piece of Tuolumne County’s history slips away, this shows us what eventually happens to 170 year old buildings when they are not maintained or protected.
We found an informative, out of print, Chispa that was published in 1977 about Chinese Camp (see below or click here for article). It is an interesting read, given in beginning of that 48 year old article, the author refers to “Chinese Camp as it stands today with much of its physical history crumbling away”.
Those words, that were written nearly 50 years ago, prove that the neglect and lack of a preservation plan in Chinese Camp has been going on for quite some time, and which has now been resolved with this latest fire.
We mourn the losses in Chinese Camp, and will honor it’s memory and the contributions it’s people made to Tuolumne County history for over 150 years.
Regards,
Chuck Holland
Tuolumne County Historical Society Board President