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clay dubeTracy - thank you for introducing this wonderful story. I am very interested in China-links throughout Southern California and didn't know about this, even though I've visited Bakersfield. I hope that others will introduce us to local Asia links. It might be a great class project to identify the heritage and contemporary trade, investment, and other links between your communities and Asia.
Here are some additional resources about the Great Castle and its founder.
Bakersfield Californian, 2007 after his death http://www.bakersfield.com/news/2007/01/19/man-was-great-castle-s-king.html
The article begins:
"The Wang family usually doesn't see moths around the house. But for three days after their patriarch's death, one such creature fluttered through the home. "It traveled to the couch, rested a bit, then flew to Tzu Chun Wang's bedroom. It followed the route Wang used to take around the house, said his daughter, Yun-Li.
"Wang, the founder of Great Castle Chinese Restaurant on Union Avenue, died Sunday of heart failure. He was 84.
"According to Chinese tradition, his spirit has returned in moth form, Yun-Li said.
"We told the grandchildren ... 'When you see this, don't try to kill it because that's Grandfather,'" she said.
"Yun-Li, the restaurant's manager, said her father rarely took a day off. He was strict and family members would be in trouble if they were five minutes late to work."
Bakersfield Magazine, 2011 http://bakersfieldmagazine.net/2011/10/great-castle-imagine-my-surprise/
Other resources for the Chinese community in Bakersfield:
The Chinese of Kern County, 1857-1960 - book published http://www.bakersfield.com/columnists/robert-price/2006/02/10/kern-s-vibrant-chinese-past-comes-to-life.html
Article about tunnels under Bakersfield's two Chinatowns (Chinese were blocked from buying property outside them): http://www.gilbertgia.com/hist_articles/community/underground_bakersfield6_com.pdf
Gilbert Gia also wrote this article about the Chinese Cemetery: http://www.gilbertgia.com/hist_articles/civRights/chinese_cemetery_aj_civ.pdf
Virtual tours: Chinese cemetery: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/p/m/21a773/
Let Sing Gong Temple: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/p/m/219df1/
Bakersfield Chinese School https://sites.google.com/site/bakersfieldchinese/
AnonymousI just posted about the Chinese graveyard but am sad that it does not look like the pictures that you've provided. It is in need of paint and repair. I also enjoyed the article that was included with it because it was a little different from the 2014 article that I read. Taking this course has opened my eyes to a whole new world within my own community. I look at things differently now and am intrigued at anything that has to do with China, Japan, and Korea. My husband is a Land Surveyor, so he has a lot of knowledge in the areas of local history, maps, and cemeteries. Thank you for attaching the different articles.
Rob_Hugo@PortNWBakersfield’s Chinese Connection
If you live in Bakersfield or have ever visited, not only will you hear about our Basque families and their restaurants, but you will also hear about the Wang family and The Great Castle. Tzu Chun Wang was born April 18, 1922 in China. He enlisted in the Chinese Army in 1947, during The Chinese Civil War,when the Communist Red Army took over Mainland China.He was discharged in 1949 in Taiwan and opened a family restaurant that he owned and operated for 25 years, before moving to the United States. He worked as chief chef in a Chinese restaurant from 1972 to 1978 and decided to bring his family over for a better future. He moved his family to the Simi Valley where he co-owned a family Chinese Restaurant before moving to Bakersfield and opening Great Castle. The first restaurant was the size of a coffee shop, but in 1985 with the help and support of family, he expanded the restaurant to what it is today. The Wang family's work ethic and relationships with the customers helped make Great Castle a Bakersfield favorite. Patrons called Tzu Chun Wang Papa Sun and as he got older,he would act as security guard and greeter to his customers. Papa Sun’s first language was Chinese but he understood what his customers wanted and made sure they felt like they were part of his family. Tzu Chun Wang was a hard worker and expected the same dedication from his family. He never took vacation time and expected the same from his family. The only vacation they took was an annual family trip to Las Vegas on Thanksgiving that is still a tradition to this date. Tzu Chun Wang died January 14 2007 and his legacy lives on through his family who still owns and operates Great Castle. This is one of my favorite places to eat because the food is amazing and also because they make you feel like part of their family.
AnonymousI found everyones background information and commentary particularly interesting. As a child I was very involved with Girl Scouts and I remember in about 4th or 5th grade we took a trip to Bakersfield and visited historical sites. I remember at the time not really fully grasping the deep connection to China or the Chinese culture, but years later I returned there and gained a much better understanding. I remember much later on (possibly as a sophomore in college) learning about the vast impact of the Chinese culture, people, and traditions and their connection to California by regions. I again relearned about the Bakersfield connection as well as small towns in and around Yosemite Valley.
I found the information about the castle and graveyards to be very interesting. The graveyard looks very in need of repair. The articles and background information from all who posted about these topics was intriguing. I wonder how I can incorporate this learning into my 4th grade curriculum this coming school year? Since the history and social studies I will be teaching this year is all about California, I will find some way to include this information into my curriculum plan for this year. I will really read through all of the websites and information presented and am grateful to tvancuren and Clay Dube for adding these website resources and information to my repertoire of what I can use. Thanks!