Yreka - Chinese Cemetery & Exhibit

The Chinese immigrated to Siskiyou County in the early 1800s with their first burial in the cemetery in 1805 and the last burial in 1828. As of today, all of the remains were exhumed and sent back to China. This memorial has a plaque reading the names of those originally buried.

The Construction of Interstate 5 in the 1970's led to the final destruction of the old Chinatown, with the exception of the small Chinese cemetery. A single marker remains, inscribed in Chinese characters, which says, "The Graveyard of Our Past Friends. Erected in the mid-summer of the 26th year of Emperor Kwong-Shui."

Siskiyou County Museum - Upstairs in the glass display, there is a wonderful exhibit displaying some rare artifacts. The Museum is light on the history of the Chinese in Siskiyou County but there’s just enough to give you a small taste of the Gold Rush era.

Siskiyou County Museum located at 910 Main St., Yreka. 530-842-3836.

Tree of Heaven Nature Trail is located in the Tree of Heaven Campground several miles down river from the Ash Creek Bridge. Tree of Heaven was imported by the Chinese immigrants who farmed this flatland and sold vegetables to area miners. The tree was to remind them of their homeland. See a description of the Tree of Heaven Nature Trail on our Easy Hikes and Walks pages.