The only real "China Town" in the U.S.

In the late 70s I spent quite a bit of time in the Delta taking pictures and just feeling the place. It really is a special place. I have a lot of tri-x negatives somewhere of Locke, Cortland and Walnut Grove as well as the levees, fields and pear orchards. At that time there was a guy, a Leica photographer, whose name I can't remember, living in Locke and documenting the area. If I remember correctly he was a member of Jeraboam, a local San Francisco co-op and stock agency at the time. Also worth looking at is the medium format book done on the area titled Delta Country. Cheers!

Thank You Very Much Mr. Ralph Barker,

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I'm Chinese American (first generation), and I appreciate your comments and post.

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I'll put it on my list whan I visit my uncle's family in Marin County.

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BTW, the first US immigration laws were directed at/because of the Chinese (?). I guess they were sending too much money back "home" (?).

While there, eat lunch at "Joe's" (full name not respectful to those of Italian origin) for a bit of local color. It's fun...enjoy!

A new theory put forth by a British historian that <a href="http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200203/07/eng20020307_91604.sh tml"> Admiral Zheng He of Ming Dynasty </a> reached America 72 years before Christopher Colombus and circled the world almost one century earlier than Vasco de Gama.<p> Zheng He's huge treasure ship was 440 feet long leading a team of hundred ships, with nearly 28,000 crews. Columbus's St Maria was only 85 feet long

The relation of Chinese and America may date back to the beginning of 15 century, according to historian <a href="http://www.space.com/spacewatch/menzies_china_020321.html">Gavin Menzies </a> who presented a paper to Royal Georgraphy Society in London on the result of his 14 year long research on pre Columbus Voyages-- he put forth a theory that Eunuch Admiral Zheng Ho of Ming Dyasty(during the reign of Emperor Zhu Di ) discovered America 72 years earlier than Columbus. He is writing a book on the details of his new theory, which if proven true may rewrite history books. <p> Or at least add an interesting prolog to history of Chinese in America.

<p> Emperor Zhu Di was one of the greatest emperor in Chinese history. He initiated the great Zheng Ho Voyages in history, reached as far as east cost of Africa, also built the Imperial Palace at Beijing, and the Ming Tomb. <p> There is book by National Geographic writer Louise Levathes: "When China Ruled the Seas", ( Simon and Shuster ) detailed the 7 voyages of Admiral Zheng He. Although not including Menzies's enw theory, but well written, well illustrated. <p>

Cha-Ching!

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Just got added to my favorites list, and that doesn't happen very often.

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Thanks Again Ralph!

Martin

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Interesting. The really interesting thing is why the "west" instantly wanted to exploit and settle the new country whereas the Chinese did not. Of course we know why in a trivial sense, but the difference in what it says about the societies is very intriguing. As you probably know, Jared Diamond discussed this stuff in his Pulitzer prize winning book.

There is an interesting website <a href="http://hometown.aol.com/gordonkwok/accsacw.html"> Chinese soldiers serving in American Civil War</a>

First Chinatown in L.A. Sonoratown was established in 1781 <p><a href="http://us_asians.tripod.com/timeline-1600.html">Time Lines of Asia Americans </a>

Thanks for the additional information, Martin. I noticed the timeline site didn't have any reference to Locke, and sent the curator of that site a note.

Gavin Menzies' book is due to come out at October 1

I am curious what additional material he presented in this book

Emperor Zhu Di was one of the greatest emperor in Chinese history. He initiated the great Zheng Ho Voyages in history, reached as far as east cost of Africa

Fascinating info. Can't wait to see the book. I recall reading that artifacts from one of the ships were found on Madagascar - apparently the ship was wrecked there, and the crew lived out their remaining lives on the island. Anyway, to confirm this, researchers did DNA testing on the present day population and found the Chinese DNA to be widely distributed.

Doug, Barne & Nobles is taking advance order Gavin Menzies new book

I order one copy from amazon.ca

Gavin Menzies is supposed to disclose the location of the sunken boats from Zheng Ho's fleet, which he kept secret in his speeches earlier this year.

Thanks for the tip, Martin.