Did you know that Salem had a Chinatown? In the mid- to late-1800s, Chinese immigrants came to the Willamette Valley. Records show they had businesses, homes, and a school. By 1903, Salem’s Chinatown was a half block of rundown buildings, and the Salem City Council ordered the entire area burned to the ground.
A Chinese Shrine in Salem Pioneer Cemetery may be the last remnant of Chinese American’s presence in Salem. Identifying and interpreting this historic place is an important part of preserving Salem’s history. A Chinese Shrine Advisory Committee composed of stakeholders and others interested in this project has been established.