Those of us who grew up in Utah know all about the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in our state. We might have a hard time remembering that exact date (May 10, 1869). But we know the “Golden Spike” was pounded in “someplace in the middle of nowhere, north of us.” Oh yah, our junior high teachers called it Promontory Point.

Taylorsville State Sen. Karen Kwan grew up in California, before moving to Utah. Her junior high didn’t focus on the transcontinental railroad as much as ours did. Kwan discovered the achievement a different way.

“I learned about the transcontinental railroad through my grandmother and mother,” Kwan explained. “My mom also passed along family stories she had heard from her grandmother – my great grandmother.”

Rail line stories are important in the Kwan family, because Karen’s ancestor was among the more than 12,000 Chinese immigrants who cleared the land, laid the ties and drove the steel spikes, mile after mile, to complete the single most important project that led to the rest of us eventually calling this part of our country “home.”

“We don’t know his name, because they didn’t write many of the Chinese workers’ names down back then,” Kwan continued. “I’m also not exactly sure how many generations back he is – whether he’s my ‘great, great’ or ‘great, great, great’ grandfather. But I have heard many stories about this ancestor of mine. And I am proud to be involved in commemorating what he and the other Chinese immigrants accomplished.”

Kwan is president of the Chinese Railroad Workers Descendants Association. Her love of family is undoubtedly the biggest reason she holds that post. She and her brother Michael are the only presidents the CRWDA has ever had.

Former Taylorsville Justice Court Judge Michael Kwan was co-founder of the CRWDA. You may recall, he passed away unexpectedly during the early days of the pandemic (July 2020). However, it was natural causes – not COVID-19 – that claimed his life at age 58. 

“After my brother passed, the CRWDA was without a president for a couple of years,” Kwan explained. “It was a difficult time. I have been president for about a year. It has been exciting to help put together plans for this monument.”

Last month, Kwan and several other CRWDA members broke ground on what will be a modest monument to the Chinese railroad workers on the Utah State Capitol grounds. It will stand about 4½ feet tall by 3½ feet wide. The monument will be in the shape of our state of Utah and include a commemorative placard.

The placard reads: “Resilience and Perseverance – In Honor of Utah’s Chinese Pioneers. Dedicated to the more than 12,000 Chinese pioneers who helped complete the First Transcontinental Railroad alongside many others of differing ethnicities, nationalities, and religions. Their strength, sacrifice, resolve, and hard work will always be remembered and forever honored.”

The monument was designed by Porheang Ear, a member of the Utah Chinese community. He is an associate with Salt Lake-based MJSA Architecture. Private donations are funding the monument, which is expected to cost a little more than $50,000.

“The Central Pacific Railroad went to China to recruit workers for the project,” Kwan explained. “China was having a civil war at the time. Many Chinese men were looking for ways to support their families. That’s why my ancestor, and thousands of other Chinese men, came to this country to work.”

When Central Pacific paid the Chinese, their work foremen received the wages to distribute to his men. Therefore, only the foremen’s names were ever recorded. That’s why no written records exist for more than 90% of the Chinese laborers who were instrumental in opening the western United States to the mass migration that would follow.

As Kwan prepares for her second year in the Utah State Senate – following her six years in the Utah House – she says it will be an honor to see the Chinese railroad worker monument each day.

“More than anything, I hope this will encourage people to learn more about their own history,” Kwan concluded. “I’m also looking forward to the monument dedication on May 10 – the 155th anniversary of the completion of the first transcontinental railroad.” λ