[163]       

Chinatown (Early Name of Dayton)

Lyon County
  39.23627, -119.5894

"This 'Chinatown' is one of many named 'Chinatowns' in Nevada. What separates this one is the fact that is probably THE first in the state. At the time of Nevada's statehood, there were less white men than Chinese, presenting a problem when it was time to apply for statehood in 1864. Looks like Nevada barely met its quota of 60,000 citizens. But what of the Chinese? A chinaman was considered one-fifth of a person and excluded as a "citizen." Oh snap, is that too harsh? I bet you won't find that fact on any historical markers. Pays to know your history." -- Journal Entry, May 2007

Corner of US 50 and Dayton Valley Rd. -- Dayton
* This marker shares its site with [7] -- Dayton *

Original Date Visited: 5/30/07

Signed: No

  • Marker 163 plaque
  • Marker 163 in Dayton

Exact Description:
The first Chinese were brought to this site in 1856 to build the "Reese" ditch from the Carson River to the entrance of Gold Canyon. The ditch was used for placer mining. The Chinese soon began reworking the placers. Earning a living from those abandoned by the miners, so many Chinese followed (200) that the settlement was called Chinatown. The name was changed to Dayton in 1861 in honor of John Day, who laid out the town and later became General of Nevada.

Next Marker:

BUTTON POINT

Related Links & Markers

 [7] -- Dayton   [29] -- Chinatown   Nevada Towns: Dayton   History of Dayton 

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