Businesses > Libraries/Museums
Chinese Joss House Museum
| phone: |
(307) 783-6320 |
| location: |
920 Front Street
Evanston, WY 82930
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The Chinese played an important part in Evanston's cultural and economic history. One of Evanston's early landmarks was a section of town called Chinatown. Evanston's Chinatown was composed of modest structures huddled on the west side of the railroad tracks, serving as homes and business dwellings for the Chinese. Among the significant structures in Chinatown were an opium den and an elaborately decorated Joss House. The Chinese worked as laborers for the Union Pacific Railroad and as miners in the Almy coalmines north of town. The Chinese population flourished from the late 1870's to the early 1920's. In 1922 the Joss House mysteriously burned to the ground. While some of the Chinese remained in Evanston, many chose to relocate to follow the mining and railroad booms throughout the west.
A detailed replica of the Chinese Joss House stands in Evanston's Historic Depot Square today. The Joss House Museum is open to the public and contains many ancient Chinese artifacts including wood panels from the original temple.
The museum is housed in a reproduction of the Joss House, a place of worship for the Chinese in the area from the 1870s through the early 1920s. Exhibits address the Chinese in Evanston from 1870 - 1939. Collections include artifacts from Chinatown Archaeological Digs, private Chinese collections (dates varying), historical photographs, pottery, books, paintings, and other Chinese items.
Todd Osterling, Tour Guide
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