Quote:
Originally Posted by FredH
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The Chinese community was allowed to utilize a corner of the city's potter's field and erected a shrine in September 1888.
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Hidden in the trees in the Google Maps view is the Chinese Memorial Shrine built in 1888. Almost unbelievably, as it was threatened many times over the years, it still exists in the original location. Although Chinese labor built a great deal in Los Angeles and the state, with the destruction of Old Chinatown the Shrine is almost the only thing left to commemoration the enormous Chinese contribution or even their presence.
1890s:
huntington library photo archives
"The Chinese Memorial Shrine in Evergreen Cemetery was built by the people of Los Angeles' Old Chinatown in September of 1888. It consists of two 12-foot-high "kilns" or furnaces that flank a central altar platform. A memorial stone or stele once stood atop the platform; it was removed from the ground where it had fallen and is in storage.( A replica replaces it.) The monument is approximately 1,000 square feet.
Los Angeles' Chinese American pioneers burned gold and silver paper-symbolizing money-and the deceased's personal effects and favorite clothing in the Shrine's furnaces. This was said to encourage a comfortable transit to the next life or afterlife and the well-being and abundance of the departed. Elaborate presentations of foods such as a whole roast pig, poultry and other meats, fruits, potable spirits, and joss sticks were placed on the altar at burial and during seasonal rites such as Ch'ing Ming (Chinese Memorial Day), and Ch'ung-Yang Chieh (Hungry Ghosts or All Souls' Day)."
asian pacific american historical timeline details (1875 to 1899)
http://us_asians.tripod.com/timeline-1875.html
In 1937 all recorded Chinese graves that could be found were excavated and the remains repatriated to China. In 1964 Evergreen Cemetery bought back the Chinese Section/Potter's Field from LA County. The Shrine underwent restoration in 1997. Lengthy negotiations with the owners of the cemetery resulted in the purchase of the Shrine by the Chinese community in 2003. Evergreen Cemetery, in its entirety, came under Chinese ownership in 2004.
Although anti-Chinese sentiment ran high among Anglos in Los Angeles, there was also a fascination with, and even respect for, Chinese customs and the beauty of their ceremonies:
The Los Angeles Times August, 1888 (the month before the Shrine was built):
"[They] repaired to the graveyard at an early hour with all manner of Chinese delicacies . . . besides a great amount of prayer papers to be burned to keep out the devils. Heretofore, when [they] have had this annual feast or celebration, they have taken precautions against the fire from these piles of paper spreading. This year, this was omitted from some oversight. Some of the residents became alarmed, lest there should be a grass fire and reported the case to police headquarters. Officer Berry was sent out, and compelled them to extinguish their fires, after which they were allowed to finish their exercises. They finally concluded, and it will be another year before the ghosts are again fed."
And this from the Los Angeles Daily Times in 1905:
"Uncommon homage was paid to the leader of the Hop Sing Tong. Lighted candles of various colors stood on one side [and] clusters of flowers made of coral. A group of soldiers of the Chinese Reform Association, under command of General Homer Lea, appeared as escort. The parade started for the Chinese Cemetery which adjoins Evergreen Cemetery on East First Street. There were 50 carriages in line. Two beautiful Chinese lanterns were among the articles tossed into the furnace."
A City of Los Angeles Historic Plaque, the first ever in Chinese, lies at the foot of the Shrine, together with another in English.
More info:
ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HISTORICAL TIMELINE DETAILS (1875 to 1899)
http://us_asians.tripod.com/timeline-1875.html
Chinese Historical Society of Southern California
http://www.chssc.org/history/shrinefull.html
P.S. And, LOL: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...googlenews_wsj
No RIPping for anyone.