H I S T O R I C A L L Y S P E A K I N G
The history of the Chinese in Gilroy is as diverse as the Chinese culture . Parts of their history should make us a little uncomfortable ; other parts are typical American melting pot assimilations — many are interesting pieces of Gilroy ’ s history that might surprise you .
Gilroy ’ s Chinese heritage
Chinese artifacts found in the Gilroy Historical Museum
The Chinese first came to Gilroy in the mid to late 1800 ’ s as a result of both natural and manmade disasters in China . Too many people , too much poverty , and not enough work led to a major exodus to California during the gold rush . Chinese from the Middle Kingdom , more specifically the Kwangtung Province went to “ Gum Shan ” — the Gold Mountains of California . In 1852 there were an estimated 25,000 Chinese in California . Many had hopes of finding gold fortunes but they soon learned that they were not welcomed visitors and faced phenomenal discrimination . By 1852 the Foreign Miners Tax , discrimination , violence and blatant anti-Chinese sentiments made their gold mining dreams impossible . Many Chinese turned to support functions such as laborers , cooks , laundry and grocery owners . By 1870 the Chinese were the largest ethnic minority in California ’ s mining areas .
Many of the displaced miners eventually went to work on the Central Pacific Railroads . With the completion of the transcontinental railroad , the Chinese dispersed throughout California to work the fields and plantations . About this time James D . Culp came to Gilroy , patented a process for curing tobacco , and founded the Consolidated Tobacco Company . In 1873 Culp built a three-story brick cigar factory across from the train depot on Monterey Street . Gilroy was a major tobacco-growing region ! At one point the Consolidated Tobacco Company employed 900 Chinese and reportedly rolled one million cigars , called cheroots , a month ! Gilroy was the west coast “ tobacco capital .” In 1875 the population of Gilroy was estimated at 3,400 with twenty-six percent Chinese !
While most European immigrants came to the New World ( California ) to stay , most Chinese planned to make some money and return to China . They were just passing through . They kept their language , way of life and dress . These behaviors fostered further discrimination and isolation . Ethnic Chinatowns sprang up throughout California . Gilroy had its own bordered by Monterey and Eigleberry between Seventh and Ninth . In 1879 the California Constitution was revised and Chinese labor was outlawed in state-licensed corporations . That was the end of the Consolidated Tobacco Company in Gilroy . James D . Culp moved to a smaller clandestine operation near San Felipe , just north of Hollister , and with a few loyal Chinese he continued making cigars into the 1920 ’ s .
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