The Foo Kee Store in Fiddletown was constructed in the early to mid-1850's, most
likely by non-chinese. Constructed of brick, it must have been among the first permanent
structures in Fiddletown. For many years during the 19'th Century it was occupied and
owned by the Chinese merchant Foo Kee, who was listed in Fiddletown's first extant business
licenses in 1863, continuing through 1881. Foo Kee obtained a deed to the property in
1871. Foo Kee owned two other parcels, one immediately south of this building and the
other adjacent to the west. These properties were in the heart of Fiddletowns Chinese district,
and Foo Kee had the largest land holdings among the Chinese inhabitants.
In 2001, the building was donated to Amador County by its owners, Richard Stanley
and Anne Hellman. In July of 2003 the Fiddletown Preservation Society received a grant
from the State of California for $203,000, about half of the cost of restoring the
Chinese Store and the Gambling Hall. FPS is currently recruiting volunteers, doing fund
raising and applying for additional grants to raise the addtional funds needed to stabilize and restore the exteriors of
the buildings. In January of 2006 FPS awarded a contract to Garavaglia Architects in San Francisco to do the architectural plans for the work. The plans are to be completed by August 2006, and the construction by the end of 2007.
To make a donation or ask about the project you can contact us here.