Day 248: Oroville Chinese Temple, Oroville, California

📌APIA Every Day (248) - The Oroville Chinese Temple is a historical site in California that documents the Chinese immigrant experience during the Gold Rush era. Established in 1863, the temple was built by Chinese immigrants who had settled in the Oroville area, with approximately 10,000 Chinese residents living in the region during the late 19th century. Most of these immigrants were men from Canton and Shanghai provinces, initially prohibited from bringing their families and drawn to the area by the promise of gold. After two previous wooden structures were destroyed by fire, the current brick temple was constructed using locally sourced bricks and funded by Chinese imperial support.

The temple complex consists of multiple buildings, each serving a specific purpose. The Main Temple, called Liet Sheng Kong or "Temple of Many Gods and Goddesses," features altars for multiple deities and includes imported artifacts like a teak altar and a large ceremonial urn. Adjacent structures include the Chan Room, for Confucian meditation, the Council Room used for business transactions, and the Moon Room, a Buddhist worship space with a distinctive circular entry and three Buddha statues.

The temple's history reflects the challenges faced by Chinese immigrants in California. A significant flood in 1907, coupled with economic depression, caused many Chinese residents to leave Oroville for larger cities or return to China. By 1937, the remaining community deeded the property to the City of Oroville with three key conditions: create a museum to display artifacts, maintain the temples for worship, and provide educational resources about Chinese culture. Over subsequent decades, the complex expanded to include additional structures like the Tapestry Hall, Display Hall, and a Chinese garden, each designed to preserve and showcase Chinese immigrant history. The temple was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

LEARN MORE:

National Archives Catalog: Oroville Chinese Temple NRHP Form

Historical Marker Database: Chinese Temple

City of Oroville: Chinese Temple

#apiaeveryday #chinese #chinesetemple #oroville #california #orovillechinesetemple #nationalregisterofhistoricplaces #goldrush #chinesecommunity #chinatown #lietsgengkong #templeofmanygodsandgoddesses #chanroom #councilroom #moonroom #chineseimmigrant #chinesegarden