Chinese Laundry & Underground

Dates Unknown

Several Chinese Laundries existed in the city in the late 1800's and early 1900's. One was Located near the site of present-day city pool, where it occupied the site adjacent to city park for several years. The other two were clustered nearby between the present day Library and Fire Department locations.  They served as a hub of the city’s little known Chinese culture and history for years, but the businesses were forced to live on the margins of the city and eventually closed at an unknown date, though records show that one existed as late as 1912. We know that one of them was called New Star Laundry. 

These sites are known by their inclusion in the early 20th century Sanborn maps. Sanborn maps were the first detailed surveys of American cities so that downtown homes and businesses could procure fire insurance; a vital survival too for businesses around the turn of the 20th Century. Many main street down towns in the region were originally built of wood and subsequently burned down in large fires. Later structures like the earliest surviving buildings in downtown were built of brick in order to be more fire resistant. 

Several local historians are working to uncover more information about the site and the Chinese residents who worked here. Most notably, Tiffany Henness has researched the story of Sam Yick, a well known Chinese resident who ran one of the laundry businesses here. Yick was popular around town at social functions and was mentioned many times in the Yamhill County Reporter newspaper and the Telephone Register.

Many Chinese artifacts from this time period are stored and displayed in Marilyn Kosel's basement downtown (imaginatively rendered for this poster). Chinese residents congregated and lived in the basement during the period and used the spaces to avoid running afoul of the racist laws of the day that forbade them from being out in public after dark. These laws were known as sundown laws. There are some old tunnels under downtown that are rumored to have been used by group as well, but it cannot be confirmed and the truth is likely lost to history at this point. 

Supporters are hoping to turn the site into a museum in the future so more of McMinnville's residents can learn about this fascinating and little known chapter of our history.