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Bok Kai Temple
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Full view of the Bok Kai Temple
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| Location: | Marysville, California |
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| Built: | 1880 |
| Architect: | Unknown |
| Architectural style: | No Style Listed |
| Governing body: | Private |
| NRHP Reference#: |
75000498 [1] |
| CHL #: | 889 |
| Added to NRHP: | May 21, 1975 |
The Bok Kai Temple (北溪廟) is a traditional Chinese temple located at the corner of D and First Streets in the city of Marysville, California, and served as the center of what was a bustling Chinatown (at least for a small town, not comparable to that found in San Francisco or other large cities).
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Five years after the first contingent of Chinese arrived in California to work the gold mines during the California Gold Rush, a temple was erected in Marysville to serve the immigrant population. The year was 1854, and the foremost of the gods that were worshiped was Bok Eye, the god of water, who had the power to control the rains.
The original temple was destroyed by fire, and was replaced in 1880. The temple remains a primary focus of the present Marysville Chinese community, who have dedicated themselves to preserving the temple. The Bok Kai Temple is the only one honoring the god Bok Eye in the United States.
The temple is infrequently used as an active place of worship, but is preserved as both a California Historical Landmark and as a protected property on the National Register of Historic Places. A Bok Kai festival and parade is held annually in the spring, during which time the temple is opened for ceremonies as well as for interested parties to tour. Other tours may be arranged by contacting the Temple caretaker.
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