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Hanford's Chinatown grew and prospered rapidly to included its own restaurants, additional homes, grocery stores, laundries, tobacco shops, herbal shops with several herb doctors in residence, sundries stores and, of course, many gambling establishments; a virtual "city within a city". It is a fascinating adventure to visit the Taoist Temple and museum. Allowing us a step back into history ne can almost feel the presence of worship in the temple and the business of living within the alley. After climbing the steep steps to enter the temple, one is surrounded by vestiges of a by-gone era. Furnishings are the original pieces with the exception of some flowers on the main altar table which were donated by a couple from Bakersfield following the demise of the originals. The building is constructed of "on-site", hand made brick, creating one foot thick walls. The internal walls were then covered with a thin layer of plaster which was painstakingly painted to simulate brick. Greeting the visitor at the top of the stairs, are several large plaques covered with Chinese characters which list the names of members of the Sam Yup Association who donated moneys for the building's construction. On the south wall are representatives of the eight immortals (mythical personages likened to the Patron Saints in Catholicism) while their corresponding ceremonial staves are displayed next to the stairwell. Across the room is a ceremonial "oven" or incinerator in which were burned paper offerings of money or clothing to the individual's ancestors. Silk embroideries displayed show symbolic animals and birds, the meaning of which are explained by docents. The tools of individual "worship" have remained where they were used, leaving a treasured legacy through which we may partially learn of their fascinating ways. The street level of the Taoist Temple building has been converted into a museum illustrating a variety of lifestyles of Hanford's Chinese residents. Each room, which once housed bedrooms for single men, now display various items depicting kitchen accouterments, gambling "tools of the trade" and pieces saved from the L.T.Sue Herb Store located across the street. Since herbalists often lived in their store, typical furnishings are displayed as well. Along the walls of the hallway are pictures of early Hanford Chinese residents. Near the front of the lower level is a very small shop from which may be purchased informative literature or tokens of remembrance of a visit to China Alley. The proceeds of the little store are used to assist the building's maintenance. |
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