Whitefish, MT - Hiking Trail 1st Chinese Smokejumper
This is a special story about one of the descendants of the original Chinese families in Red Bluff, CA—Danny On. A walking trail named in his honor can be visited at 3808 Big Mountain Road, Whitefish, MT 59937.
In the mid-1800s, the 劉 (Lau/Lew) family—now known by the surname "On" in their Chinese American lineage—were among the first Chinese pioneers to permanently establish themselves in Red Bluff’s historic Chinatown. Danny’s grandfather worked for many generations with the Chew family's herbal practices, first at the Bo Do Hong Company and later at the Chew Yuen Company.
Danny was the son of Mr. Lew Frank On and Mrs. Lee You On, both of whom were born in Canton. Mrs. Lee You On, sometimes known as Mah On, outlived her husband by many years. She witnessed much during her lifetime, having been born in 1889 in Canton and passing away on October 22, 1973.
From 1927 to 1949, Danny’s family operated the American Café on Walnut Street, located outside of Chinatown. The restaurant became well known for tamales made by Mrs. On. During WWII, all of their sons served in the U.S. Armed Forces, writing letters to their hometown to keep the community informed. Danny often mailed items from the war to his parents, which were displayed in their storefront windows.
After returning from WWII, Danny became the first Chinese and Asian American Forest Service Smokejumper. The Siskiyou Smokejumper Base Museum honors him with several dedications. Using his G.I. Bill, Danny not only earned a bachelor’s degree but went on to complete a master’s degree in Montana. As first-generation Chinese Americans, his parents were immensely proud of his accomplishments.
Meanwhile, in his hometown, Chinatown was demolished between 1947 and 1948. For a short time, the On family lived in the rear of their restaurant, until it accidentally caught fire. Many remember Mrs. On for her lush flower garden. In accordance with her final request, her passing marked the last time an old-country Chinese funeral and procession were conducted by the 劉 (On) family.
Tragically, Danny died shortly after his mother, on January 21, 1979, in a skiing accident.
In memory of Danny, and in honor of the many lives he touched, a group of friends and community members came together to commemorate his legacy. They named a trail after him at the Whitefish Mountain Ski and Summer Resort in Whitefish, MT and is one of Montana’s. The “Danny On National Recreation Trail” officially opened in 1981 and is now considered one of Montana’s “best natural wonders”. " Danny was a decorated war hero, an award-winning nature photographer, and will always be remembered by Historic Chinatown as a loving son and an exemplary member of the Chinese American community—both professionally and personally.
On July 3, 2021, Danny was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor for his service in WWII.
