This limestone formation, known as
Chinaman's Arch, has become a memorial to the
thousands of Chinese who helped build the
transcontinental railroad. Because of labor
shortages in California Chinese we employed
experimentally by the Central Pacific Railroad
in 1865. The proved to be excellent workers, and
by 1868 over 10,000 were working on the
railroad.
Many of the Chinese remained with the Central
Pacific after the completion of the railroad at
Promontory. Travelers often noticed their tents
along the route. Apparently one such camp was
here during the 1880 s when this arch was given
its special name.
