The History of Chinatown at Silver Reef Includes Opium Dens and a Suspicious Fire

When silver was discovered in 1866 and began to be mined a decade later the town of Silver Reef was flooded with miners and grew to a population of 2,500 people. Chinese workers from the railroad came and made a part of the town their own.  

Recent Research Was Done on Silver Reef’s Chinese Population 

There were 250 residents of Chinatown that was a cluster of houses off the Main St in Silver Reef. All the buildings are gone but a couple years ago several historic organizations teamed up to identify the area and search for artifacts. 

Chinatown had their own mayor and according to Wilma C. Beal who wrote a book about the time she spent in Silver Reef and some of its history. She says the Chinese residents had houses where they sold opium to miners addicted to it. 

Fire in Chinatown was Suspicious 

Beal tells the story of a fire one Sunday morning that burned down the house of one of the residents. She describes how the man and his lover barely escaped and ran into the street without much clothing. 

Under the house there was a supply of opium, and the smell of the burning drug made residents of the town nauseas when they smelled it. It was a total loss for the Chinese man, and he suspected someone had started the fire on purpose. 

Read More: 9 Foot Mummy and Metal Plates Found in a Cave in Utah?

If you live in Southern Utah, a visit to Silver Reef is a must. There are tours of the remaining buildings and a museum. Reading Beals book for free online can give you some real context before you go.