Title

The Search for the Lost Graves of the Chinese Miners in Hailey, Idaho, USA

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

6-4-2012

Abstract

Thousands of Chinese immigrants traveled to Idaho, USA during the gold mining boom in the latter half of the 19th century. In the former mining town of Hailey, a separate section of the cemetery was established to accommodate Chinese laborers. In the 1930's, a fire destroyed the wooden grave markers in the Chinese section of the cemetery. As part of an effort to establish a memorial recognizing the contributions of these workers, a ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey was commissioned in 2009 to identify the graves so that permanent markers could be placed. Interpretation of the pseudo-3D GPR survey identified 120 unmarked graves in the Chinese section of the cemetery. Efforts are currently underway to place markers on these gravesites and to raise funds for a permanent memorial to the Chinese laborers.

Share

COinS