Jung San Choy
Jung San Choy was a notable fisherman of the Pescadero village at Stillwater Cove. He was a Chinese immigrant who spent the majority of his life living and working on the Monterey Peninsula. Born in 1852 in Hong Kong, he came to the California coast in 1868 when he was just 16. He married his wife, Yeung So, shortly after arriving in California. It was at Pescadero Point, known as Pebble Beach today, that Jung San Choy built a life and a legacy.
“Secret History - 29.” Sandy Lydon's Central Coast Secrets. Accessed August 15, 2022. http://www.sandylydon.com/secret-history-3.
Jung San Choy's children by their family home. “Carmel, Carmel Valley, Pebble Beach, & Point Lobos.” MAYO HAYES O'DONNELL LIBRARY. Accessed August 15, 2022. https://www.mayohayeslibrary.org/carmel-carmel-valley-pebble-beach--point-lobos.html.
From the 1870s to 1904, Jung San Choy and Yeung So raised thirteen children in their family home overlooking Stillwater Cove (the location of today's Beach & Tennis Club at Pebble Beach). Importantly, all of their children were born in America and all were U.S. citizens.
Jung San Choy worked as a fisherman, helped by his older sons. As the Pebble Beach area began to be developed in the 1880s with a scenic road and hotel, tourism came to the area. The Chinese fishing villages became "exotic" sights to see along the drive.
Jung San Choy's family adapted to this new element by setting up souvenir stands where they sold their hand-polished abalone shells and other items to passers by.
Jung San Choy's children by their souvenir stand, overlooking Stillwater Cove.
“Secret History - 29.” Sandy Lydon's Central Coast Secrets. Accessed August 15, 2022. http://www.sandylydon.com/secret-history-3.
Descendants of Jung San Choy still have some of these original abalone shells today, polished until gleaming, holding stories of an immigrant family's unique California history.
The evidence of Jung San Choy's shift in occupation is shown in the 1910 U.S. Census below. Jung San Choy's profession is listed as "Merchant Retail" and the general nature of his work as "Shells," whereas he was previously recorded as a fisherman in the U.S. Census 10 years before.
Year: 1910; Census Place: Monterey, Monterey, California; Roll: T624_89; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 0012; FHL microfilm: 1374102