So, where were all the Chinese workers when famous transcontinental railroad photo?

There's not a Chinese owrker in sight in the historical photo.

On the 150th anniversary of the last spike driven in to complete one of the grandest infrastructure jobs in the history of the United States, let's take a look back a bit.

One of the greatest examples of marginalizing  or omission of minorities in the history of the United States is the famous photo taken upon the completion of transcontinental railroad.

Despite having up to 12,000 Chinese working on the western portion of the railroad that connected the eastern and western parts of the U.S., not a single Chinese is in the historical photo.

It's the same photo that appears in all the U.S. history books taught in school. By ommision, the photo teaches students that the Chinese workers didn't work through the Sierra Nevada, blasting tunnels and carving mountainsides to lay the tracks for the Central Pacific Railroad.

It turns out the Chinese were out to lunch.

A report from  the San Francisco Newsletter, May 15th, 1869, described the final moments of the celebration at Promontory:

"J.H. Strobridge, when the work was all over, invited the Chinese who had been brought over from Victory for that purpose, to dine at his boarding car. When they entered, all the guests and officers present cheered them as the chosen representatives of the race which have greatly helped to build the road ... a tribute they well deserved and which evidently gave them much pleasure."

There was only one photograph that gave any indication of Chinese involvement in laying down the last few rails of the railroad. A stenographic view was taken by A. J. Russell titled "Chinese at Laying Last Rail UPRR."

The view clearly shows at least one Chinese worker and a partner with rail-laying tools appearing to adjust the last rail laid (from the CPRR side), with a wooden track gauge stick still in place while two others look on.

The final tasks of laying down the rails and connecting East and West -- as the stereograph depicts -- was described in the report from End of Track, November 9, 1868, as quoted in the Southern Pacific Bulletin, August, 1927:

"Long lines of horses, mules and wagons were standing in the open desert near the camp train. The stock was getting its breakfast of hay and barley. Trains were shunting in from the west with supplies and materials for the day's work. Foremen were galloping here and there on horseback giving or receiving orders. Swarms of laborers, Chinese, Europeans and Americans were hurrying to their work. On one side of the track stood the moveable blacksmith shop where a score of smiths were repairing tools and shoeing horses and mules. Close by was the fully equipped harness shop where a large force was repairing collars, traces and other leather equipment. To the west were the rails and line of telegraph poles stretching back as far as the eye could reach. The telegraph wire from the last pole was strung into the car that served as a telegraph office. To the eastward stretched the grade marked by a line of newly distributed earth. By the side of the grade smoked the camp fires of the blue clad laborers who could be seen in groups waiting for the signal to start work. These were the Chinese, and the job of this particular contingent was to clear a level roadbed for the track. They were the vanguard of the construction forces. Miles back was the camp of the rear guard–the Chinese who followed the track gang, ballasting and finishing the road bed. Systematic workers these Chinese – competent and wonderfully effective because tireless and unremitting in their industry ... The rails, ties and other material were thrown off the train as near to end of the track was as feasible, and then the empty train was drawn back out of the way. At this point the rails were loaded on low flat cars, and hauled by horses to end of track. The ties were handled in the same way. Behind came the rail gang, who took the rails from the flat cars and laid them on the ties. While they were doing this a man on each side distributed spikes, two to each tie; another distributed splice bars; and a third the bolts and nuts by which the rails were spliced together. Two more men followed to adjust and sent back for another load ... Back of the track builders followed a gang with the seven more ties necessary to complete the foundation for each rail. These were put into position and spiked by another gang, which also leveled up the track and left it ready for the ballasters. ..." 

Now, a cynic might say -- a conspiracy theorist might say -- the lunch was a ruse so the Chinese would be occupied while the famous photograph was taken so that the Irish and other white workers would get the credit. There's no other evidence to support this theory, but, I'm just saying ...
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Campaign launched to honor Chinese railroad workers with stamp

FLICKER / MARION ROSS

A group of Chinese American railroad workers gathered for a rare photo.

A campaign has been launched for a new stamp to honor the 12,000 Chinese  American immigrant laborers who helped build America’s Transcontinental Railroad from 1865-1869.

Led by Rep. Grace Meng, D-NY, a group of Congressional members of the House and Senate, sent a letter to the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee on  Feb. 7 to urge the issuance of a commemorative postage stamp ahead of the upcoming 150th anniversary of the railroad’s completion on May 10, which is also Asian American and Pacific Islander History Month.

REP. GRACE MENG

“Almost 150 years ago, thousands of Chinese railroad workers, through their sweat, blood, and labor, made enormous contributions to our country by bridging together the east and west coasts of our nation,” said Meng. 

“It is important for us to commemorate their efforts, and recognize their stories, so that their role in America’s history is not forgotten," the Congressmember continued. "These workers endured both the arduous physical labor of constructing a railroad and the emotional trauma of being discriminated. I am thankful for all they did to help the United States grow and prosper and for the important mark they left in the Asian American community. It’s time to award them with this long overdue recognition.”

Meng has been working toward the creation of a stamp for the 150th anniversary since 2014. The Congresswoman sent a letter to the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, which recommends and evaluates stamp proposals for the Postmaster General, in 2016. 

“These early laborers are significant to the Asian American community for their pioneering work at a time of constant racism and discrimination that eventually opened doors for future generations,” says the letter.

A petition started by the US-Asia Institute has collected over 7,000 signatures, says Meng.

“Asian Americans are the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States. Accordingly, it is critical to recognize the significance of the Chinese railroad workers and share their stories by embedding them into a part of our daily life,” said Meng.

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Chinese American Heritage Rose Parade float catches fire

The float honoring the Chinese American railroad workers caught fire during the Rose Parade.

ASAM NEWS

A Rose Parade float meant to honor the unsung Chinese Americans who built the Transcontinental Railroad stalled on the parade route after catching fire.

Smoke filled the air, but those on the float, some who were descendants of Chinese railroad workers, got off safely and without injury, report NBC LA.

The float had to be towed off the parade route. The delay caused a long gap in the parade and many spectators left thinking the parade was over.

The float was sponsored by the Chinese American Heritage Foundation out of Boston. ABC reported during its coverage of the parade that the float entitled Harmony Through Union was build in the last weeks leading up to the parade, an extremely short period in a parade in which floats can take as long a year to construct.

Parade organizers described Harmony Through Union, at 95 feet, as the longest in this year’s parade. It was so long the first tow truck that arrived could not haul it away and a second one had to be called in.

Some managed to find humor in the float’s demise. You can watch Funny or Die’s coverage with Cord Hosenbeck and Tish Cattigan of the mishap here.

“That’s why the parade is so dynamic, year in and year out,” Cord said. “Someone better call Triple-A.”

“You can’t be perfect like a prima ballerina,” Tish added.

Also among the Rose Parade floats was a Hawaii-themed "Rhythm of Paradise" float sponsored by Dole and the Sikh Indian American community of Southern California sponsored a float for the fifth straight year.

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