Truckee, CA - Donner Pass Summit Tunnels

HJC was excited to visit the Summit Tunnel at Donner Pass in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The significant engineering from the mid-19th century was made possible with the help of thousands of Chinese workers. The Central Pacific Railroad began construction in 1863 to connect California with the rest of the country.

The Summit Tunnel was a crucial component of the railroad's construction, dug through solid granite over four years in extreme weather conditions and a difficult terrain, as well as the risks of cave-ins and explosions. Despite the challenges, the Summit Tunnel was completed in 1869, and the first train passed through it on June 18 of that year. The achievement of the tunnel's construction was a testament to the skills and determination of the Chinese workers who made America what it is today.

The significance of the Summit Tunnel to Chinese history cannot be overstated. It was the first major project in the United States to rely heavily on Chinese immigrant labor. Today, the Summit Tunnel serves as a poignant reminder of the contributions made by Chinese immigrant workers to the construction of the transcontinental railroad. It is a historic landmark and a popular tourist attraction, with guided tours that offer visitors a glimpse into the tunnel's history and significance in the development of the United States.

Today, we must reflect on the fact that the success of the tunnel's construction should help dispel any misconceived notions that Chinese labor forced performed menial jobs for low wages when in fact, they brought skilled labor to develop the western United States. Since their early arrival, they frequently negotiated their wages. In 1894, the Chinese community within Tehama County renegotiated their wages for orchard picking all the way up to $1.50 per day, so the great Wong Foey decided to hire white pickers. Imagine that!