Bronze Timeline Markers
Timeline benches run the length of the northern edge of the Garden and provide a visual representation of the history of Chinese immigrants in the Lower Columbia River Basin. Twenty-four bronze timeline markers summarize important historical events and significant milestones. The markers are spaced in chronological order according to their relationships to other events.
Individual markers are available for purchase as legacy gifts to the Garden. The text of the markers is shown below.
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| Bronze Timeline Markers | ||||
| 1 | Arrive in Astoria area • mining • railroads • fishing industries (SOLD) | 1860s | ||
| 2 | Astoria Chinatown • Bond St • Astor St • Commercial St | 1870s | ||
| 1870-1880 Clatsop area Chinese population • 16 | 1870 | |||
| 3 | 47% of Chinese work in canneries | 1870s | ||
| 4 | "China House" • 50-100 men • 4 men bunk in each 8 x 10 compartment | 1870s | ||
| 5 | American Depression • Political pressure • "Expel the Orientals" | 1870s | ||
| 6 | Local taxes on the Chinese | 1870s | ||
| 7 | Chinese build Canadian Pacific Railway during canneries' off-season | 1879 | ||
| 8 | 77% of Chinese work in the canneries | 1880 | ||
| 1880 Clatsop area Chinese population • 2392 | 1880 | |||
| 9 | Chinese Exclusion Act bans Chinese immigration to U.S. until 1943 | 1882 | ||
| 10 | Chinese will be shot if seen fishing • Restriction imposed on hiring Chinese | 1884-86 | ||
| 11 | Decline in salmon runs • Chinese railroad labor • Portland-Astoria Railroad | 1884 | ||
| 12 | 1 Chinese tailor • 32 Chinese groceries • 7 Chinese farms | 1890s | ||
| 1890 Clatsop area Chinese population • 1703 | 1890 | |||
| 13 | Chinese participation in Regatta • Contribute to philanthropic drives (SOLD) | 1903 | ||
| 14 | Chinese are invited to send children to Baptist Church to learn English | 1903 | ||
| 15 | "Iron Chink" fish cutting machines replace Chinese laborers | 1905 | ||
| 16 | First Chinese students graduate from Astoria High School | 1913 | ||
| 1910 Clatsop area Chinese population • 541 | 1913 | |||
| 17 | Astoria Chinese serve in WWI | 1918 | ||
| 18 | Help build city and riverfront seawall after fire | 1922 | ||
| 19 | Begin sending exhumed remains of Chinese natives to China for traditional burial | 1928 | ||
| 20 | Astoria Chinese serve in WWII, Korean War | 1942-53 | ||
| 21 | University-educated Chinese opens first Chinese dentist's office | 1957 | ||
| 22 | Chinese serves on Astoria City Council, Chamber of Commerce (SOLD) | 1970-84 | ||
| 23 | OSU Seafood Consumer Center dedicated to an Astoria Chinese (SOLD) | 1998 | ||
| 24 | Astoria Chinese: Regatta Admirals, scientists, engineers, business owners (SOLD) | 2004 | ||
| 2009 Clatsop area Chinese population • 60 (SOLD) | 2004 | |||
