Did you know that Jacksonville had the first Chinatown in Oregon? By the early 1870s several 100 Chinese lived in Jacksonville, primarily on West Main between South Oregon and 1st streets in the ramshackle buildings that had been the mining camp’s original “business district.” Since Chinese New Year—the Year of the Tiger—begins tomorrow, February 2, it seems appropriate to share a little information about how Jacksonville’s original Chinese residents celebrated Chinese New Year.
For Jacksonville’s Chinese, New Year was a high point in their life—a time to honor their ancestors by caring for the deceased and driving away malignant forces. Dwellings were cleaned to sweep away ill fortune, new clothing was purchased or sewn, all outstanding debts had to be settled, and feasts were prepared. Although traditionally a 10-day celebration, money and time concentrated most activities on the first full moon of late winter.
The day would begin with a fusillade of firecrackers to drive away evil spirits. A procession to the Chinese section of the cemetery was followed by the cleaning of graves and the “feeding of the dead.” Leaving the “tempting aroma” graveside, the feast was carried back to the Chinese Quarter where it was consumed. Musicians entertained the deceased with fiddles, barrel drums, and gongs. More fireworks were part of the celebration. Local children would be drawn by the noise and line up for Chinese candy and sweets and of course a parading dragon!
While the children may have loved the celebration, many Jacksonville residents viewed it with distaste—firecrackers scared the horses, the food was “repugnant,” and the music produced a “heathenish sound.” But then how Southern Oregon welcomed the Chinese is another story and a disturbing one….