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Chace and Evans collection
2017 M.5.
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Title: Chace and Evans collection
Dates: 1865-1869
Collection Number: 2017 M.5.
Creator/Collector:
Evans, William S. Jr.
Extent: 15.94 linear feet (15 boxes)
Repository:
Chinese Historical Society of Southern California
Los Angeles, California 90012
Abstract: The collection documents the everyday lives of 19th-century Chinese railroad workers living in Donner Summit, Donner Hotel,
Virginia City, Bear Valley, Mokelumne Hill, Hornitos, and North San Juan. It includes information about their diet, leisure
activities, and cultural practices. In sum, the collection provides great insights about the lives of 19th century Chinese
immigrants during the United States expansion period when California was just a frontier state.
Language of Material: English
The collection is open for qualified researchers.
Chace and Evans collection. Chinese Historical Society of Southern California
The collection was acquired through Paul G. Chace in late 2009 after the death of William “Bill” S. Evans, Jr. passed away;
he was Chace’s longtime colleague.
Biography/Administrative History
Paul G. Chace received his PhD from University of California, Riverside. He is a historian and ethnologist, as well as a CHSSC
member. As a cultural resources consultant and an anthropologist, he specializes in cultural resources management, preservation
law, and ethnic relations theory. His career spans 50 years of work conducting archaeological digs, museum work, curating,
and teaching. He has lectured on topics such as Western prehistory and Chinese American cultural heritage.
William S. Evans, Jr. or also known as Bill Evans, was a trained anthropologist, archaeologist, and geographer. He received
his bachelor and master degrees from University of California, Berkeley. He served as the first curator at the Rancho Los
Cerritos museum in Long Beach, California. Before retiring in 1985, he taught anthropology for two decades at Santa Monica
College. Evans passed away in 2009.
Scope and Content of Collection
The collection portrays the everyday lives of 19th-century Chinese railroad workers. It includes information about their diet,
leisure activities, and cultural practices. It also provides insights into the types of labor available to Chinese immigrants
during the period when California was just a frontier state. The bulk of the collection include pieces of clothing, shoes,
opium/tobacco paraphernalia, munitions, gaming tokens, tablewares, medicinal/alcohol bottles, and digging tools
Chinese American
Chinese Americans -- California -- History
Chinese Americans -- Nevada -- History
Chinese Americans -- 19th Century -- History
Railroad workers
19th century - Railroad workers