#15 East Auto Tour

Marker #15

NPS/ncastoro

Natural Memorial 
The limestone formation on your left, known as the Chinese Arch, has become a memorial to the thousands of Chinese who helped build the transcontinental railroad. Labor was scarce in California. The Central Pacific first employed Chinese experimentally in 1865. They proved themselves to be excellent workers and soon the company recruited directly from China. By 1868, over 11,000 Chinese laborers were employed on the railroad.

Many of the Chinese remained with the company after the race to Promontory ended. Travelers often noticed their tents along the transcontinental route. Apparently one such camp was here during the 1880s when the arch was given its special name.

• Natural Memorial

  
  

  The limestone formation on your left, known as the Chinese Arch, has become a memorial to the thousands of Chinese who helped build the transcontinental railroad. Labor was scarce in California. The Central Pacific first employed Chinese experimentally in 1865. They proved themselves to be excellent workers and soon the company recruited directly from China. By 1868, over 11,000 Chinese laborers were employed on the railroad.

  Credit / Author:

  Nicki Castoro

  Date created:

  04/12/2025

  Audio Transcript

  The limestone formation on your left, known as the Chinese Arch, has become a memorial to the thousands of Chinese who helped build the transcontinental railroad. Labor was scarce in California. The Central Pacific first employed Chinese experimentally in 1865. They proved themselves to be excellent workers and soon the company recruited directly from China. By 1868, over 11,000 Chinese laborers were employed on the railroad.

  Many of the Chinese remained with the company after the race to Promontory ended. Travelers often noticed their tents along the transcontinental route. Apparently one such camp was here during the 1880s when the arch was given its special name.