Arrowtown Chinese Settlement
The partly restored settlement of Chinese gold miners on the south bank of Bush Creek, about 200 metres from Arrowtown's main street. Chinese miners came to Otago from 1866 at the invitation of the Otago Provincial Council and often met hostility from miners and officials. By 1888 up to 60 men lived here in huts of stone, mud brick, wood and iron; Ah Lum's store and several excavated huts survive.
Dated events and their evidence
- 1866 CE mainstream
First Chinese miners arrive in Otago, invited by the Otago Provincial Council from the Victorian goldfields source - 1885 CE mainstream
Settlement has about ten huts, a large social hall and at least two stores source - 1888 CE mainstream
Population peaks at perhaps 60 men before the decline of gold mining source - 1927 CE disputed
Death of Ah Lum, the last resident storekeeper (Heritage New Zealand; other accounts give 1925) source - 1983 CE mainstream
Archaeological excavation in December; several huts reconstructed afterwards source
Where
44.9376° S, 168.8289° E
Sources
- https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/5613/Arrowtown%20Chinese%20Settlement
- https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/otago/places/arrowtown-area/things-to-do/arrowtown-chinese-settlement/
Each event carries Aion's own evidence grade (mainstream, disputed or speculative). This page repeats what the globe shows for this place.