The first Chinese arrived in San Jose in 1850 to work in the fruit industry. The first of the five consecutive Chinatowns in San Jose was formed in 1866 on the location of today’s Market Street; and the last one, Heilenville, lasted from 1887-1931. After the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1943 and with a new wave of immigrants since 1965, the Chinese American community in Santa Clara Valley has grown in population (160,000 approx.) and made contributions in the developments in various economic, social, and political fields. 

The exhibit of "Pioneering the Valley: The Chinese American Legacy in Santa Clara Valley" is lovingly presented by the Chinese Historical and Cultural Preservation Society, featuring 14 colorful panels of text and images on the history of Chinese Americans in the Santa Clara Valley from the 19th -21^st century. Come visit us soon.  

Another exhibit in tandem with "Pioneering the Valley" at King Library is "Chinese American Women's Club of Santa Clara County: 50 Years Preserving Tradition, Culture, & Community Service." This exhibit is drawn from the source materials of "Chinese American Women's Club of Santa Clara County records, 1962-1999" archived at Special Collections, King Library.  These records "document the organization's promotion and preservation of Chinese culture and service to the larger Bay Area Chinese community."

For more information, below are some books and websites on Chinese Americans:

Image credit: Chinese Historical and Cultural Preservation Society www.chcp.org

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