Oregon Experience: Kam Wah Chung

The Tourist Garage

From all reports, Lung On was a forward-thinking man, interested in the newest and the best. No better proof of this exists than in his early adoption of the automobile.  He became the first car dealer in eastern Oregon when he opened The Tourist Garage in John Day in 1921.  He was so successful selling Oldsmobiles – and so unique as a Chinese owner of a dealership – that the national automotive magazine, Motor Age, published a long piece about his entrepreneurial efforts.  As the article points out, Lung On was “presumably the sole Chinese automotive merchant in this country.”

The headline of the story is a rather misguided attempt at dispelling stereotypes,  "Washee" being a reference to the occupation of laundryman.