Idaho’s history is rich with stories of diverse communities that helped shape our current state. Among these communities is the Chinese immigrant community, whose resilience, hard work, and cultural contributions impacted Idaho’s development. From the bustling mining towns of the 19th century to the quiet struggles of integration and acceptance, the journey of Idaho’s Chinese population is both inspiring and poignant.
In this article, we offer a deeper understanding of the challenges the Chinese population faced and the legacy they left behind, revealing a vital yet often overlooked chapter in Idaho's story. Keep reading to learn how you can become a part of Idaho’s living Chinese history.
Mid-1800s: Gold Discoveries and the Migration of Chinese Communities to Idaho
Idaho’s Chinese history began in the 1860s. Recognized as the “gold rush” era in California, thousands of miners were moving to the Golden State to strike rich in the 1840s and into the 1850s. Unfortunately, many of them ended up empty-handed. Word started spreading that Idaho was also home to loads of gold. At the start of the 1860s, large groups of miners, many of which were of Chinese descent, packed up the little belongings they had and traveled northeast to stumble upon wealth and raise money to return home to their families. Thousands of Chinese miners traveled to Boise, Idaho, and its surrounding regions in the 1860s, hoping to find gold and build wealth. Other towns, such as Placerville, Idaho City, and Pierce, became home to large Chinese populations. The Chinese didn’t only mine for gold; many started working on the railroads or as doctors, interpreters, hotel keepers, or gardeners. By 1870, Idaho had about 4,000 Chinese residents, about 28.5% of the total population. According to the U.S. 1870 Census, 1,754 of those 4,000 Chinese residents lived in Boise, comprising about 45.7% of the city’s total population.
The Chinese started to make Idaho their home, eventually constructing the historic Chinatown in downtown Boise around 1870. Located along Idaho Street and east of 8th Street along Front Street and Grove Street, Boise’s Chinatown consisted of several Chinese-owned businesses and residencies. Restaurants, laundries, merchandise stores, a Chinese Masonic Hall, a Hip Sing Tong and Hop Sing Tong, and two herbal medicine shops run by three generations of the Ah-Fong family could be found on the streets of Boise’s first Chinatown. After its establishment, Chinatown was home to countless cultural celebrations and parades with hopes of raising its prominence in the community. Colorful Chinese parades wowed the residents, often attracting regional Government officials to attend. The festivals were a much-needed chance for the Chinese residents to celebrate their heritage and culture while also helping them feel more at home in a foreign land.



Other people of Asian ancestry started migrating to Idaho by the 1890s. Many Japanese migrants began moving to Idaho and working on railroads or in agriculture, as well as running restaurants and laundries. There is even public record of a ten-year-old Filipino boy attending public school in Boise in 1902. Unfortunately, trouble was on the horizon for Idaho’s Asian population as anti-Asian sentiment would rise across the United States during this time.
Late 1800s & The 1900s: Anti-Chinese Initiatives Nationwide
Building a life in Idaho was difficult for the Chinese community. Anti-Chinese movements provoked the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act. This law heavily impacted the growth of Chinese populations in the region, prohibiting any new Chinese laborers from arriving. The Chinese Exclusion Act, along with other restrictive immigration laws not realized until 1943, meant that all Chinese immigrants, as well as those from other Asian and Southeast Asian countries, were forbidden from becoming U.S. citizens. It didn’t matter how long they had lived in the United States, how well they spoke English, or how well they’d acclimated to the culture—they weren’t welcome in many parts of society. Discriminatory laws, social prejudice, and xenophobia made it clear that their contributions were often overlooked, and their presence was met with hostility.
Even before 1882, the Chinese people experienced discrimination in Idaho. In 1866, the Idaho Territorial Legislature levied a tax of $5 per month on all Chinese locals. The state’s Chinese population wasn’t permitted to testify against white people in court, and countless acts of violence committed against Chinese citizens were dismissed and rarely investigated or punished. In the later 1800s and into the 1900s, Idaho residents initiated a campaign of violent removal of the state’s Chinese inhabitants. Mobs destroyed Chinese homes and businesses, anti-Chinese sentiments increased from cultural, economic, and social rifts, and there was even constant internal friction between differing groups of Chinese workers. During the convention, Idaho’s white residents voted to expel Chinese citizens. In 1887, devastation once again hit Idaho’s Chinese population when a mob of white men murdered 31 Chinese miners, later named the Hell’s Canyon Massacre.
Idaho’s sentiment against Chinese people went as far as an anti-Chinese convention organized in Boise on February 25, 1886. Throughout the 1890s and early 1900s, several towns would follow suit, including Bonners Ferry, Clark Fork, Hoodoo, Moscow, and Twin Falls, forcibly expelling Chinese locals. In 1891, Idaho's first state legislature enacted a law preventing Chinese immigrants who were not U.S.-born from purchasing or owning property. Sadly, by 1910, Idaho’s once-booming Chinese population had all but disappeared. As Chinese population numbers dwindled, so did the anti-Chinese sentiment. Some Chinese families maintained residence in local communities throughout the 1920s and 1930s in cities like Boise and Lewiston. Still, their presence became less visible as many moved away or left the US altogether. Over time, the overt discrimination and hostility they once faced began to fade.
Today: How Idaho’s Chinese Population Has Impacted The Gem State
Today, the influence of Idaho’s Chinese population continues to resonate throughout the state. Chinese migrants left an enduring legacy in Idaho, helping shape the state’s culture, economy, and history. Early Chinese immigrants played an essential role in building Idaho’s infrastructure, specifically in mining, agriculture, and railroad construction. Due in large part to their hard work and perseverance, the state flourished during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Traces of Idaho’s Chinese pioneers remain today. City maps showing Boise’s historic “China Town,” mining records, deeds to properties, scattered Chinese artifacts, places named “China Gardens,” and gravestones marked in Chinese script stand as a testament to the enduring legacy of Idaho’s Chinese pioneers. These remnants serve as powerful reminders of Chinese immigrants' significant role in shaping the state’s history despite their hardships. Each artifact and landmark tells a story of resilience, community, and the cultural contributions that continue to enrich Idaho's heritage.
Unfortunately, the amount of Chinese people residing in Idaho has massively dwindled. As of 2021, only about 1.6% of Idahoans identified as Asian. This decline reflects a broader trend of changing demographics and historical challenges Asian communities face in the state. Despite this, the influence of the Chinese and Asian populations in Idaho remains strong, woven into the fabric of our culture, history, and progress. Looking forward, there is hope for renewed growth and recognition of Idaho’s diverse communities. As efforts to embrace inclusion and celebrate multiculturalism continue, Idaho has the opportunity to honor its past while fostering a future where all voices are valued and represented.
Become a Part of Idaho's Chinese History and Legacy at Turf Club
Located in Twin Falls, Idaho, the historic Turf Club has a rich and multifaceted past. Initially opened in 1946 as a speakeasy following Prohibition, this iconic establishment has evolved over the decades while maintaining its elegance and tradition in the local community. In the late 1970s, the Turf Club served finely crafted Chinese cuisine, a nod to the cultural influences shaping Idaho’s history. This unique chapter in Turf Club’s story highlights the diverse culinary traditions that have passed through our doors, connecting patrons to the rich heritage of Idaho’s Chinese community.

Today, Turf Club’s revitalized hidden bar combines Idaho’s rich Chinese and Prohibition history for an unforgettable experience. Griff's, tucked away within the Turf Club, offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and modern indulgence. Guests can enjoy Asian inspired cuisine alongside expertly crafted cocktails and shots with Asian flavors and ingredients, all served in a secretive, speakeasy-style setting with decorative accents that acknowledge Idaho’s Chinese past. Whether you're seeking a taste of history or a night of sophistication, Griff's at the Turf Club is the perfect destination to celebrate Idaho’s diverse cultural legacy. Visit us for a memorable experience steeped in history.
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