See all the photos from the Park County Local History Archive that delve into Asian History in the area.

Photo of the Tong House building from the South Park City Museum in Fairplay, item description from the Museum states “A Chinese Tong House is correct for this area. Chinese did placer mining on river immediately behind Stage Stop, Stage Barn, Star Livery Stable. There was racial discrimination in those days. Chinese had to live across river and this Tong House is located at only place in Fairplay the Chinese were permitted to come. Chinese Tong members received daily work assignments here. China Mary had laundry, and was the only Chinese to live, in town.” Source: South Park City Museum, Deits Bros. 119 E. Pikes Peak Colorado Springs, Colo.

Also includes description of the “Homestead 1958 recommendation for Tong House – Shut roof tight and cover with 65lb roofing, then cover with old boards. Roof-needs-bracing- Build door with old boards. Rebuild shed on north of building and bat the whole building but the shelves that are outside in place. Repair floor with old boards. Build outside toilet at southwest corner.”

Photo focused on the door of the Tong House building being renovated from the South Park City Museum in Fairplay.

To learn more visit these references:

• Building the Transcontinental Railroad: How 20,000 Chinese Immigrants Made It Happen
• A Legacy from the Far East
• Denver’s Chinatown
• The Rise and Fall of Denver’s Chinatown
• Time Piece
• In South Park, a microcosm of America’s long history of xenophobia