Oregon's Chinese Heritage: A Legacy of Places: Columbia County

Chinese Fisherman on the Columbia River Oregon

Oak Point Chinese Residence.Columbia County.

The 1880 U.S. Census lists 18 Chinese living in one residence in the town of Oak Point, all employed as cannery workers. The names given below are those recorded by the census taker. It would appear that the census taker had some difficulty with the Chinese names.

Reference: Columbia County Oregon: History and Genealogy 1986.

Rainier Chinese Residence. Columbia County.

The 1880 U.S. Census lists 20 Chinese living in a single residence in the town of Rainier. The following are their names and occupation stated in the census. Note that some names are the same as those in Oak Point.

Reference: Columbia County Oregon: History and Genealogy 1986.

Reference

Columbia County Oregon: History and Genealogy. 1986. “Index of the 1880 Census of Columbia County, Oregon.” http://www.oregongeneeaology.com/ Accessed December 6, 2010.

Change/Create a Place Name

To change an inappropriate place name or create a place name of a
natural feature, the following is suggested:

1. Document its
history (written/oral records, photographs, maps, etc.).

2. Garner local
support (petitions, organization endorsements, official support
letters, etc.).

3. Learn about the
Oregon Geographic Names Board:

https://www.ohs.org/about-us/affiliates-and-partners/oregon-geographic-names-board/index.cfm

4. Complete the Name
Proposal Form:

https://www.ohs.org/about-us/affiliates-and-partners/oregon-geographic-names-board/upload/DGNR_Name-Proposal-Form.pdf

5. Mail the form and
supporting documentation to:

Oregon
Geographic Names Board

Oregon Historical Society

1200
S.W. Park Avenue

Portland, OR 97205

About me

I am Professor Emeritus who has spend the last 35 years researching the Chinese in California, Oregon and Washington State from the mid 1800's to mid 1900's. Since graduate school in the early 1970's, I have been involved with the Chinese community, to include serving as the president of the Southern California Chinese Historical Society. After one of many presentations about the Chinese legacy, an elderly Chinese woman said "Thank you--you have given me a history." The comment prompted me to create this site which is a companion to California's Chinese Heritage and Washington State's Chinese Heritage.