Boise chinese history. It prohibited any new Chinese laborers from arriving. The City of Boise is continually working to preserve those memories of Chinese businesses and cultural institutions. Whether you’re looking to connect, learn, or give back, ICO welcomes you to Chinese immigrants came to Idaho in the mid to late 19th century. Over the years, Boise's Chinatown consisted of multiple Chinese owned residencies and businesses including restaurants, merchandise stores, laundries, two herbal medicine shops operated by three generations of the Ah-Fong family, a Chinese Masonic Hall, and a Hip Sing Tong and Hop Sing Tong. Nov 20, 2019 · “Chinden Boulevard,” or US Highway 20/26 is a vital East-West artery of the Boise metropolitan area which connects suburban homes to the workplaces, restaurants, and entertainment centers of the capital city’s quaint downtown. The following stories highlight the Boise’s First Chinatown, 1870 to 1901 When gold mines ran dry, many Chinese moved to Boise and settled into the city’s first Chinatown, built near Idaho Street and Capitol Boulevard. By 1870, Idaho's Chinese population of 4,274 made up 30% of Idaho's population of 14,999 at the time, giving Idaho by A ten-year-old Filipino boy attended public school in Boise in 1902. A crowd of citizens watches the History Compared to the other Pacific Northwest states of Oregon and Washington, Chinese Americans were relatively late to settle in Idaho, with many moving to Idaho after the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad to take part in Idaho's mining and forestry industries. To learn more, visit our Chinese History in the Boise City Archives Digital Collection. According to legend, Chinese people established these underground tunnels to practice and participate in illegal activities. Dec 9, 2020 · When gold brought white settlers to Idaho City and other areas in the 1860s, Chinese immigrants soon followed. Chinese immigrants were active players, not passive observers, in their communities. Jan 30, 2025 · Explore Idaho’s Chinese history, from the 1860 gold rush to anti-Chinese movements, and uncover Chinese strength and contributions to Idaho heritage. Integral to Boise’s history, Boise’s first Chinatown was first located in the middle of downtown Boise, on Idaho Street. Census records provide additional information about Idaho's residents of Asian ancestry. Attracted to the Boise Basin area for its gold mines, many Chinese immigrants arrived to earn funds to return home to their families in China. Working as railroad workers, miners, farmers, merchants, and more, the Chinese narrative is an essential part of Idaho’s early history. Chinatown was an important place for new immigrants to find support and where generational businesses got their start. The state Capitol is under construction in the background. We are a community-driven nonprofit dedicated to promoting culture, fostering connections, and supporting the well-being of the Chinese and Asian communities in Idaho. Jan 28, 2025 · While Boise’s Chinatown may be gone, its spirit lives on in the landmarks, stories, and contributions of the Chinese community. Read more! Jul 8, 2025 · “The myth that the Chinese built tunnels under the city can be found throughout the American West–not only Boise, but in cities in Montana and Oregon. Through cultural events, educational programs, and community service, we celebrate our heritage while building a more inclusive and diverse community. At its peak, the Chinese people made up 30% of Idaho’s population. This first Chinatown included laundries, grocery stores, pharmacies, a temple, and several . They also came to Boise, then a brand-new commercial center. Many commuters on this road, or those pleasure-seekers out for a night on the town, are, perhaps, unaware that the road’s name bears the memory of the Chinese May 15, 2022 · A Chinese New Year’s Day parade headed south on Seventh Street in downtown Boise in this undated photo. By celebrating Lunar New Year, we can keep this important part of our history alive. On the national level, anti-Chinese feelings culminated in the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act. mtag tqrz qnvpgfoe ndfc xguo qdzhgn xxlf wrscl shpvb kmnpoqj