Immigration

A New Life

The primary reasons for early Chinese immigrants leaving their homeland were rooted in the profound social and economic crises gripping China. Following the Opium Wars, the Qing dynasty's power waned, leading to widespread social unrest and the collapse of the rural economy. Major uprisings such as the Taiping Rebellion displaced countless people, pushing them to seek a life abroad. 

Simultaneously, a powerful pull factor was at play: the immense demand for labor on the American West Coast. The mid-19th century Gold Rush drew the first wave of Chinese laborers to California, while the subsequent construction of the transcontinental railroad created a massive need for cheap labor. Recruitment ads from railroad companies, like water in the desert, attracted countless young Chinese men. As a key railroad hub and port, Seattle naturally became a magnet for these immigrants.

The promise of a better life, however, did not make the transoceanic journey any easier. Immigrants were often packed into overcrowded ship compartments, enduring terrible sanitary conditions and weeks or months of travel. Many did not survive the journey, succumbing to disease or injury before even reaching America. Nevertheless, for those determined to change their destinies, the hardship of the journey was merely a prelude to the numerous challenges they would face.

Building the Northwest

While major cities like Seattle and Tacoma served as central hubs for Chinese immigrant communities, the story of Chinese labor extended throughout King County, including smaller settlements such as Redmond. Chinese workers, often arriving from San Francisco, were the first Asians to settle in the region. They were a vital part of the workforce that fueled the Pacific Northwest's booming industries, especially in the latter half of the 19th century.

The economy of early Redmond was built on the foundations of logging and agriculture. The landscape was dominated by vast forests and fertile lands surrounding the Sammamish River. Chinese laborers were instrumental in many of the region’s foundational industries. They worked as fishermen, laborers, miners, and loggers. Given the demands of Redmond's early lumber industry, it is highly probable that Chinese laborers played a role in clearing land and harvesting timber, which were vital tasks for the area’s development.

Beyond logging, Chinese immigrants were essential in building the critical infrastructure that connected the territory, including the transcontinental railroad. For example, the Northern Pacific Railroad hired 300 Chinese laborers to complete the line from Kalama to Tacoma in 1873. While specific records of Chinese railroad workers in Redmond are scarce, the presence of these workers throughout the wider region demonstrates their crucial contribution to the transportation networks that ultimately facilitated Redmond's growth from a small pioneer town. After their seasonal railroad work was complete, many of these laborers moved into other industries, such as salmon canning.

The lives of these laborers were defined by both immense hardship and historical obscurity. They were often men who immigrated alone, hoping to earn money to send home to their families. However, their existence was largely invisible in the narrative of the often-celebrated white pioneers. Despite this, Chinese immigrants’ efforts were essential to laying the groundwork for the modern city of Redmond.

Racial Challenges

The Chinese presence in Washington Territory, though vital to its economic development, was met with increasing hostility, causing an era of widespread discrimination and exclusion. By the 1880s, an economic depression had intensified the resentment of white workers who believed that Chinese immigrants were undercutting wages and taking their jobs.

This anti-Chinese sentiment was not isolated to Washington but was part of a national movement. In 1882, the federal government passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, which banned Chinese labor immigration and stayed in place for over 60 years. This law was a landmark moment in American history, marking the first time a federal law explicitly restricted immigration based on ethnicity. The act also stripped Chinese residents of the right to apply for citizenship.

The tension came to a head in the mid-1880s, sparking a series of violent expulsions across Washington Territory. The news of a brutal attack on September 2, 1885, in Rock Springs, Wyoming, where 28 Chinese men were killed, quickly fueled similar violence in the Northwest. While there are no known historical records of a specific anti-Chinese riot in Redmond, the town was not immune to the broader sentiment in King County. Surrounding communities experienced similar incidents, such as the expulsion of Chinese laborers from Black Diamond on September 9, 1885.

The most prominent expulsions occurred in Tacoma and Seattle. In November 1885, a planned expulsion in Tacoma, led by city officials and members of the Knights of Labor, forced over 200 Chinese people from their homes and businesses. In Seattle, on February 7, 1886, a citizen committee rounded up over 350 Chinese residents, forcing them onto wagons and attempting to place them on a steamer to be deported. This event was so severe that it led to a state of insurrection being declared by the territorial governor, who called in federal troops to restore order.

Despite the extreme danger, many Chinese chose to stay, strengthening their communities through civil action and fighting for their civil rights. Although the Exclusion Act was not fully repealed until 1943, the resilience of the Chinese-American community in Washington laid the foundation for future generations to prosper.

Legal and Political Resistance

The period of exclusion and discrimination did not mark the end of the Chinese community in Washington. Instead, it became a catalyst for resilience, legal resistance, and the eventual rebuilding of a vibrant community. Following the Tacoma and Seattle riots, many Chinese-Americans, with the aid of the Chinese embassy, filed civil claims against the government for reparations.

This era also saw Chinese-Americans strategically utilize the judicial system to defend their civil rights. The struggles of the community led to two landmark U.S. Supreme Court cases: Yick Wo v. Hopkins at1886 and Wong Kim Ark v. United States at 1898. These cases confirmed the citizenship of anyone born in the United States, regardless of their race or nationality, and guaranteed equal protection under the law for all citizens.

Despite these legal victories, the Chinese Exclusion Act and subsequent laws like the Geary Act—which forced Chinese immigrants to carry photo identity cards—continued to restrict immigration for decades. It was not until 1943 that the exclusion laws were officially repealed, partly due to China becoming an ally of the United States in World War II. This repeal, sponsored by Washington senator Warren G. Magnuson, established an annual quota for Chinese immigrants and allowed Chinese people to apply for naturalized citizenship for the first time.

This new chapter brought a second wave of immigration and led to the re-establishment of a strong Chinese-American community in Seattle, largely in the area that became the International District. The community’s resilience culminated in significant political breakthroughs. In 1962, Wing Luke became the first Chinese-American to be elected to office in a large U.S. city. In 1997, Gary Locke was elected as the 21st governor of Washington, becoming the first governor of Chinese descent in U.S. history.

These achievements stand as a testament to the community's perseverance. As Governor Locke reflected in his 1997 address, it is crucial to remember the “tales of terrible oppression” as well as “the incredible courage, and passionate advocacy for equal rights” of those who resisted. The history of Chinese-Americans in Washington, including in regions like Redmond, is a story of laying the groundwork for the future while never forgetting the hardships of the past.

The Chinatown we see today in the heart of Seattle has such a rich story, but many parts are hidden by the crowded streets, flavorful delicacies, and smiling people. Chinese people first immigrated to America back in the 1850s, seeking a better life after enduring the aftermath of the Second Opium War and brewing civil war. It began with the lure of gold following the Gold Rush, but the journey ultimately led to widespread disappointment and racism. In the decades that followed, more and more Chinese people came over, finding stability in labor jobs as generations began to establish their roots. A decent number of those people settled in Seattle. During that time, the majority of Chinese people in Seattle worked labor jobs in places like lumber mills and railroads. 

The first established Chinatown in Seattle was located just south of Pioneer Square. In 1882, Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, putting a 10-year ban on Chinese labor immigration. Just a couple of years before, Washington entered the ongoing economic depression spreading across America. When the act was passed, anti-Chinese sentiments were further fueled by the belief that the Chinese were taking rightfully Caucasian jobs. In the year 1886, 350 Chinese residents were forcibly removed from Seattle via steam ship. Unfortunately, what was left of the community was further impacted by the Great Seattle Fire in 1889. Even as the community rebuilt and found success in new business endeavors, biased violence still heavily impacted the Chinese community. 

Chinatown had to relocate to South Washington Street, but peace still hasn’t reached the Chinese community, problems ensued. In this new location, was built one of the first brick buildings after the fire by Chin Hee Gee. 1900, when Seattle underwent a major city regrading process, changing the level of the terrain, called the Jackson Regrade. This resulted in another major shift in location to where Seattle’s Chinatown-International District is now located, on King Street. As immigrants from various countries came, they also settled near Chinatown, mainly consisting of Japanese and Filipino immigrants. They added more culture to the community, building the foundation of the district today.