Dreams of the West
The History of the Chinese in Oregon, 1850–1950
Who were the pioneers of the American West? Some of them we already know: European Americans who traveled across North America on horseback, in covered wagons, on foot, or sailed from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Lesser known are the immigrants who, by the 1850s, began sailing east from Southern China, primarily from the Guangdong Province. They arrived in the American West port towns of California, Oregon, and Washington. These Chinese, fleeing the hardships of their homeland, sought the same prosperity as all immigrants to America. While some Chinese found riches in Oregon’s high desert, gold-mined mountains, coastal fisheries, and bustling Portland metropolis, many faced extreme racism, legal discrimination, and exploitation.
Jointly created by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA), Portland State University Capstone students, and students of Ooligan Press, this book fills a long neglected gap in the history of the West Coast. This distinctive account of Chinese immigration is detailed in a well-researched text and a wonderful collection of photos, many from private collections not previously seen by the public. Dreams of the West: A History of the Chinese in Oregon 1850–1950 presents stories about the brave men and women who made America their home and kept China in their hearts.
If you would like more information about this title:
ooligan.dreams@pdx.edu
ISBN 13: 978-1-932010-13-8
ISBN 10: 1932010130
8 ½" x 11", softcover
112 pages
$19.95