Chinese in San Jose and the Santa Clara Valley

By Gerrye WongLillian Gong-GuyChinese Historical and Cultural Project, et al.

Book Overview

The fertile Santa Clara Valley--once called the Valley of Heart's Delight and later Silicon Valley--has long been home to a substantial Chinese population. Like other immigrants, they arrived seeking opportunity and armed with survival instincts and the ability to persevere, but the struggles they faced were unique. From 1866 to 1931, five distinct Chinatowns existed in San Jose, each one devastated by mysterious fires or stifled by unjust laws. Early Chinese in the region labored relentlessly, building railroads and levees and toiling as laundrymen, grocers, cooks, servants, field hands, and factory workers. In the 20th century, new industries replaced agriculture, and an influx of Chinese invigorated the valley with innovative ideas, helping it emerge as a leader in technology.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0738547778
• ISBN13: 9780738547770
• Release Date: August 2007
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing (SC)
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.6" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Notice to find your roots

This book is a good representation of my family roots in Silicon Valley. I have found some family members that we have heard of but without any photos of these people. Good place to try and locate family pictures.