In July of 1873, the small waterfront community had been selected as the western terminus of the Northern Pacific Railroad (NPRR). Under a tight deadline to connect the railroad to saltwater, the railroad raced to connect Tacoma to existing rail lines along the Columbia River at Kalama, WA. Using a diverse group of laborers, including over 750 Chinese workers, the line was built between the fall and winter of 1873 and regular train service began in January of 1874. The final leg of this railroad ran from Tenino to Tacoma, passing through the “burnt prairie” near Olympia. Thus, it became known as the Prairie Line.
The Prairie Line Trail project converts one mile of the historic Prairie Line railroad corridor, through downtown Tacoma, into a signature public space integrating a multi-use trail, historic/cultural interpretation, public art, multimedia, and green features.
"Shipment to China" was created to commemorate the Chinese laborers who were instrumental in building the transcontinental railroad in the United States. Starting in the mid-1860’s, thousands of Chinese came to the US to work on the country’s expanding railroad lines. In addition to dangerous, sometimes fatal working conditions, many Chinese laborers were threatened and killed during anti-Chinese expulsion movements.
After a Chinese worker died, the ashes of the deceased were often sent back to China in boxes, so that they could be buried next to their ancestors. This piece refers to that practice. Each “box” represents a worker. The majority of boxes are anonymous; however a few choice names and dates powerfully connect us to the past and the people who gave their lives to build the railroad and the West.