In 1865, Chinese immigrants were enlisted by the Central Pacific Railroad in the building of the western section of the First Transcontinental Railroad. Between 1865 and May 10, 1869, when the “Golden Spike” was driven with a silver hammer at Promontory Summit, it was estimated up to 15,000 Chinese, the majority of the labor force, had been working tirelessly over and through the granite walls of the Sierra Nevada and the blistering desert of Nevada.
The First Transcontinental Railroad united California and the other western states to the eastern part of the country. With newly-opened markets in the east, there was rapid growth in California’s agricultural production which was later followed by growth in other economical forms as well.
2015 marked the start of 150th anniversary of the Chinese building the First Transcontinental Railroad. Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs (APAPA), Union Pacific, California State Railroad Museum, California Center and Shandong Film Association, China co-hosted a series of events in Sacramento and San Francisco to celebrate this occasion. Some of the hosts of the 2015 celebrations de-cided to form a new nonprofit organization, US – China Railroad Friendship Association, to continue this effort.
2026 marks the 157th anniversary of the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad, UCRFA will host following activities:
1, Field Trip to CSRM and Train Ride. Appreciate the support from CSRM and CSRMF, UCRFA will organize Chinese School students, teachers and teacher assistants to visit CA State Railroad Museum followed by a train ride on May 17 and June 6, the field trip starts at 1:30pm, the train ride at 3:30pm, only the student who attend the field trip can attend the train ride. Please help to pass the information to Chinese Schools that you know.
2, UCRFA will donate Chinese Railroad Workers sculpture – The Trailblazers, to the Golden Drift Museum at Dutch Flat. The Golden Drift Museum will have a Grand Opening for the Season on May 23, 1pm at 32820 Main St, Dutch Flat, CA 95714. UCRFA will donate Chinese Railroad Workers sculpture, a souvenir mug of the 150th Anniversary of Chinese Railroad Workers participation the first transcontinental railroad and Chinese Railroad Workers Historic Album. Please join us.
3, UCRFA will donate the American Eagle Express (one engine and two passenger coaches) to CA Stage Asian Heritage Center & Museum at Yin Rance next week, the American Eagle Express was kindly donated by CA State Railroad Museum Foundation. At CA Stage Asian Heritage Center & Museum, the American Eagle Express will continue tells the historic story.
Announcement, the Oscar Best Director winner Mr. Ang Lee will direct a movie – Gold Mountain in and around the Sacramento area from 5/18 – 6/5. The movie is adapted from the award-winning novel How Much of These Hills Is Gold (2020) by C Pam Zhang. You can find the New York Time interview with her about the book on following link:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/04/books/c-pam-zhang-how-much-of-these-hills-is-gold.html
UCRFA will help to cast local background performers. The Open Call will be on April 26, 11am – 6pm at COLOMA COMMUNITY CENTER, 4623 T Street, Sacramento, CA 95819.
