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Dedicated in the spring of 1863, this building served as a temple of worship for 10,000 Chinese then living here. Funds for its erection and furnishings were provided by the Emperor and Empress of China - local Chinese labor built the structure. The building was deeded to the City of Oroville in 1935 by the Chinese residents.
The Oroville Chinese Temple was built in 1863 as a community center for the substantial Chinese population of Oroville, California. It was originally composed of three parts: the Chan Room for Confucian meditation, the Moon Temple, for Buddhist rites, and the Council Room, for community functions. Flooding in 1907 led to an exodus of Chinese from the Oroville area, leaving the temple largely unused. After a period under the stewardship of the Chan family, the temple was deeded to the City of Oroville in 1937 and was opened as a museum in 1949.
Since then a number of modern additions have been made, including a tapestry hall, a display hall and a garden.
