In 1863, placer gold was discovered in Alder Gulch in Montana and the rush to find the mother lode began. Nevada City and Virginia City soon became boom towns. Among these who were drawn to the area were the Chinese. By 1870, about 10% of the territorial population was Chinese, most of whom were men. Territorial laws in the nineteenth century prohibited the Chinese from owning placer mines. As a result, the Chinese either mined the leavings of other mines, or they turned to other employment. Many mining camps had Chinese laundries.
Between 1945 and 1978 Nevada City was restored as a living historical museum which includes over 100 buildings, most of which were moved to this site from other Montana locations and restored. The buildings in the Nevada City China town were moved here from various locations.
Chinese Laundry
Cabins
Museums 101
Museums 101 is a series of photo tours of museum exhibits. More from this series:
Museums 101: The Chinese in British Columbia (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Mai Wah, the Chinese Experience in Butte, Montana (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: The Wah Chong Tai Merchantile (Photo Diary
Museums 101: Chinese Noodle Parlors in Butte, MT (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: The Dalles Chinatown (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Romanian Royal Artifacts (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Japanese Folk Art (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Settlers in the High Desert (Photo Diary)