Chinese American Cemetery
Yet, from this darkness sprang a beacon of light—a parcel of land, granted by Oak Hill Cemetery in 1900 to the 8 Chinese Companies in San Francisco, emerged as a sanctuary for those who had been voiceless.
A Testament to Resilience and Memory
B P O G
Nestled within the heart of San Jose lies a hallowed ground, a silent guardian of history and a sanctuary of souls.
The Chinese Historic Cemetery stands not merely as a place of rest but as a profound testament to the enduring spirit of the Chinese American pioneers. It is a chronicle of both sorrow and strength, a place where the whispers of the past echo with tales of struggle, hope, and unity.
In an era shadowed by exclusion, the Chinese American community faced barriers that extended beyond the realm of the living, into the silence of death itself. Denied a place in “American” cemeteries, they were thrust into the margins, their existence marginalized even in death.
This modest plot, measuring 140 by 160 feet, became the final haven for approximately 300 pioneers. These souls, many of whom journeyed through life solitary or severed from their kin, found a place of eternal rest among their community in San Jose. From Lee Quong Hong, whose passage into eternity on July 24, 1900, marked the beginning of this sacred trust, to Lee Chi On, whose burial on June 15, 1964, closed a chapter yet left an indelible mark on the tapestry of memory.
Memorial Reads
In 1900, Oak Hill Cemetery deeded this land to the 8 Chinese Companies in San Francisco to bury the Chinese of San Jose. Before 1950, Chinese Americans were not allowed to be buried in American cemeteries. About 300 pioneers are buried in this 140’ by 160’ plot, and it is believed that most were single or had no relatives in the area. The first burial was Lee Quong Hong on July 24, 1900. The last burial was Lee Chi On on June 15, 1964.
The South Bay Historic Chinese American Cemetery Corporation was established as a non-profit in 1980 to maintain the land and continue honoring the dead in the annual Ching Ming Jie or Grave Sweeping Day. On the 15th day after the Spring Equinox, we gather as a community to honor these early pioneers.
Names of those buried in the cemetery
The creation of the South Bay Historic Chinese American Cemetery Corporation in 1980 as a non-profit entity underscored a profound commitment to this sacred ground. It symbolized a vow by the living to honor their forebears, to maintain this testament to their journey, and to ensure that the echoes of their struggles and dreams would never fade into silence.
Ching Ming Jie: A Symphony of
Remembrance
The annual Ching Ming Jie, or Grave Sweeping Day, transforms this place of rest into a vibrant tableau of life, memory, and communal bonds. On the 15th day after the Spring Equinox, the air is filled with the melody of reverence and remembrance, as the community gathers to pay homage to their ancestors. This ritual, steeped in tradition, weaves a tapestry of continuity, linking the past with the present, and bequeathing its rich legacy to future generations.
The Chinese Historic Cemetery stands as a monument to the resilience, courage, and unity of the Chinese American pioneers. It is a place where silence speaks volumes, where every stone and every name etched upon it tells a story of perseverance in the face of adversity. As we walk among these markers, we are reminded of the indomitable spirit of those who laid the foundations of our community with their dreams and their toil. In honoring their memory, we reaffirm our commitment to the values of dignity, respect, and inclusivity, ensuring that the legacy of these pioneers will continue to inspire generations to come.
