Day 220: Bok Kai Temple, Marysville, California
📌APIA Every Day (220) - The Bok Kai Temple, established in Marysville, California in 1854, was rebuilt at its current location in 1880 following the destruction of the original structure by fire. The temple's most distinctive architectural features are its exterior murals, painted by Chinese artists specifically commissioned for this work, which remain the only known examples of their kind in the United States. During its construction, Marysville's Chinese population of 12,000 made it the third-largest Chinese settlement in California. The temple, dedicated to Bok Eye, the Chinese deity associated with water, flooding, irrigation, and rainfall, served as a central religious institution during the Gold Rush era when Marysville developed into a major commercial center in the Northern Sacramento Valley. Although the current Chinese American population in the Marysville-Yuba City area has declined to several hundred residents, with an active temple congregation of approximately 20 members, the building continues to serve its original religious purpose.
In 2001, deteriorating structural conditions led the National Trust for Historic Preservation to designate the temple as one of America's 11 most endangered sites. The Trust provided $7,000 for conservation planning and secured an additional $11,000 in state historic preservation funding. Weather damage from rain, wind, and other environmental factors has particularly affected the temple's murals, making their preservation a primary concern. Conservation efforts have been hindered by the temple's location north of Sacramento, where access to preservation resources is limited.
The temple's ongoing cultural significance is demonstrated through its annual Lucky Bomb Day festival, held according to the Chinese lunar calendar. This celebration attracts 2,500 to 3,000 visitors from across North America and features traditional elements including parades and the ceremonial release of 100 lucky rings from explosive devices. Organizations such as the Friends of Bok Kai coordinate local preservation efforts, working to maintain both the temple's historical integrity and its function as an active religious site. The temple's historical significance was formally recognized with its listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
LEARN MORE:
National Archives Catalog: Bok Kai Temple NRHP Form
Bok Kai Temple: The Story of the Bok Kai Temple
Los Angeles Times: Historic Taoist Temple Named Endangered Site
#apiaeveryday #chinese #chineseamerican #bokkaitemple #marysville #california #chinesewatergod #chinatown #nationalregisterofhistoricplaces #goldrush
