Excavation planned for San Jose Chinatown from the 1800s

Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal

For decades, the site of an early Chinatown in San Jose lay buried under asphalt at the city's corporation yard, but on March 15 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. the public is invited to an archaeological excavation open house for the site at Taylor between Sixth and Seventh streets.

For 10 days, archaeologists will uncover areas of the site in search of clues of daily life in the settlement known as Heinlenville, which was home to as many as 2,000 Chinese immigrants from 1887 to the 1930s. San Jose's first Chinatown, which was located at Market and San Fernando streets, was destroyed by fire in 1887. John Heinlen, a German immigrant, helped the Chinese merchants relocate on land he owned at Sixth and Taylor Streets.

"This archaeological excavation will provide the community an opportunity to learn more about Heinlenville, the last of San Jose's historic Chinatowns, and the history of the Chinese in our community," said Mayor Chuck Reed. "The lessons that we learn from our history help make San Jose a place that demonstrates to the world that people from different ethnicities, religions and cultures can live, work, play and prosper together."

Planned activities include limited guided tours, presentations from local historians and archaeologists, displays of artifacts and an opportunity to watch the crew members at work. Tours of the field laboratory and excavation area will be conducted hourly. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian in order to visit the site. Groups of 10 or more who want to attend the open house are asked to register by e-mailing [email protected] and include the estimated time of arrival.

Appropriate attire is recommended. No open-toed shoes or heels will be allowed on the work site.