Audiences enjoy the lion dance performance at the 22nd Washington Chinese Cultural Festival in Washington DC on September 1st, 2024. MINLU ZHANG/CHINA DAILY
The US Department of the Interior has designated Summit Camp in California as a National Historic Landmark, or NHL, marking the first time a site of its type specifically associated with Chinese American history has received the recognition.
The move was announced by the department's secretary, Deb Haaland, on Tuesday as part of a designation of 19 new NHLs across the country.
Lisa Davidson, National Historic Landmarks Program manager at the National Park Service, told China Daily: "Americans don't understand that link between the early Chinese immigrants and the building of the railroad.
"I think it's going to really help bring attention to that important story and the link between the two countries."
Summit Camp, nestled high in the Sierra Nevada mountains, holds a unique place in US history. In the 1860s, it was the largest and longest-occupied camp for Chinese laborers who played an indispensable role in constructing the Transcontinental Railroad. The workers, facing perilous conditions and rampant discrimination, toiled tirelessly to blast tunnels and lay track through the rugged terrain, connecting the eastern and western United States for the first time. Their efforts were crucial in completing the monumental project that fueled the nation's westward expansion and economic growth.
Discriminatory law
Despite their invaluable contributions, Chinese immigrants faced prejudice and hostility. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, born from economic anxieties and racial prejudice, barred Chinese laborers from entering the US and denied Chinese residents the right to become citizens. The discriminatory law remained in effect for decades, casting a long shadow over Chinese American communities.
It was not until 1943 that the act was finally repealed. In 2012, the US House of Representatives formally expressed regret for its passage, acknowledging the injustice inflicted upon Chinese Americans.
Summit Camp stands as a testament to the resilience and contributions of the early Chinese immigrants. The site features remnants of the camp, including the "China Wall", a retaining structure built by Chinese laborers, and the original tunnel used by trains before a new route was built.
"Summit Camp is an exceptional representation of the history of Chinese laborers and their contributions toward the construction of the first continental railroad in the United States," said Heather Noel, acting Tahoe National Forest supervisor.
"It's a major event," Ted Gong, the executive director of the 1882 Foundation, told China Daily. The move comes after years of effort by organizations like the nonprofit group, which has focused on educating the public about the exclusion act and its lasting impact on Chinese American communities.
"All Chinese should take pride, but not just Chinese. All Americans should take pride," Gong said.
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