Hanford, CA - Cemetery & China Alley

Although the buildings along China Alley were not opened when we visited, it was still worth the trip.

My grand Auntie May Yee was not only my grandmother’s big sister but she was a “Laundry girl” from Stockton, CA. She was born in 1923 and is turning 99 years young, living her best life. Her family was one of the original Chinese Laundry Pioneers in Stockton, CA. When her parents died, they were buried peacefully in Stockton, CA but had to be relocated to Hanford, CA. When their graves were relocated, the family decided to buy a row of plots. For many years, being a “paper” family brought great shame but today we can be proud of our Chinese ancestors who came to America with another identify. In Hanford, our proud “paper” family displays our Chinese name and our American name. Every year, Mrs. Auntie May Yee attends her families QingMing festival. Can you believe at 99 years young she still maintains our ancestral traditions, its remarkable really.

Additionally in Hanford, I was pleasantly surprised to visit China Alley. The community has made a great endeavor to preserve their active Chinatown. It is comprised of numerous original buildings along an alleyway with a nearby Chinese School and a temple. During the pandemic recent events resulted in a fire at the sacred temple ruining many well preserved artifacts.