Whitefish, MT - Hiking Trail 1st Chinese Smokejumper
This is a special story regarding one of the descendants from the original Chinese families in Red Bluff, CA, Danny On, where you can visit a walking trail named after him located at 3808 Big Mountain Road, Whitefish, MT 59937.
In the mid 1800’s the 劉 Lau (Lew) family (now known as On in regards to their Chinese American surname) were one of the first original Chinese pioneers to establish themselves permanently in Red Bluff’s Historic Chinatown. Danny’s grandfather worked hard for many generations at the Chew families herbal practices, first the Bo Do Hong Company and later the Chew Yuen Company. Danny was the son of Mr. Lew Frank On and Mrs. Lee You On both were born in Canton. However, Mrs. Lee On would outlive her husband Frank by many years. Sometime known as Mah On. She saw many things in her lifetime, born in 1889 in Canton and died on October 22, 1973.
From 1927-1949, Danny’s family operated the American Cafe on Walnut Street which is outside the Chinatown. Their restaurant became well regarding for tamales made by Mrs. On. During WWII, all of their sons served in the U.S. Armed Forces writing letters to the towns to keep them informed. Danny would mail his parents items from the war which were displayed in their storefront windows. When he returned from WWII, he became the 1st Chinese and Asian American Forest Service Smokejumper where the Siskiyou Smokejumper Base Museum has several dedications made to him. During his time as a smokejumper, he used his G.I. bill to not only earned a Bachelors Degree but a Masters Degree in Montana. As a first generation Chinese American, his parents couldn’t be more proud of his accomplishments.
Meanwhile in his hometown Chinatown was demolished in 1947-1948, his family was forced to use the rear of their restaurant was for a short period of time used as their residence until it accidently caught on fire. Some might remember Mrs. On for her luscious flower garden. In honor of Mrs. On’s request and upon her passing, it would be the last time an old Country Chinese funeral and procession would be conducted by the 劉 On family tree.
Tragically, Danny would die shortly after his late mother on January 21, 1979 in a skiing accident.
In memory of Danny and by all those who he were deeply touched by him, a community of friends made it their mission to memorialize his legacy by naming a walking trail located at Whitefish Mountain Ski and Summer Resort in Whitefish, MT after him on Big Mountain. The “Danny On National Recreation Trail opened in 1981” and is one of Montana’s “best natural wonders”. He was a decorated war hero. He published many award winning nature photographs and he will always be remembered by Historic Chinatown as a loving son and exemplary member of our Chinese American community, professionally and personally.
On July 3, 2021, Danny would once again be recognized with a Congressional Gold Medal of Honor for his service in WWII.
