Uncover the stories of Chinese immigrants who helped shape the American West. From railroad laborers to community leaders, their legacy lives on in the landscapes they helped build.
Polly Bemis was no myth; she was a real Chinese immigrant who overcame human trafficking, frontier hardship, and anti-miscegenation laws to carve out a life in Idaho’s wilderness. Whether or not her marriage to Charlie Bemis began with a poker game, her courage and resilience made her a legend. Discover the true story behind the woman whose cabin still stands today.
Born amid the harsh realities of the Chinese Exclusion Act, Tye Leung overcame prejudice and hardship to become the first Chinese-American woman employed by the U.S. government and the first to vote in a presidential election. Her life reflects courage, resilience, and a pioneering spirit that helped pave the way for future generations.
Fee Lee Wong arrived in America in 1870 and made his mark as a respected businessman in Deadwood, South Dakota. Known locally as “Wing Tsue,” he and his wife, Hal Shek Wong, built a thriving family and business in the heart of the Black Hills. Their story reflects the resilience and contributions of Chinese immigrants in the Old West and their legacy lives on through descendants working to preserve their historic Chinatown roots today.