The Tong

The Tong is a dope ass building in walnut grove. I am sure the inside is also dope. Do I know for sure? Yes yes I do. It is a dope place all around. Make your pilgrimage here and experience the dope.

There are many interesting sites along the River Roads winds along the Sacramento River. None of them had fascinated me more than the building this gallery is housed in. For years I've stopped to photo this yellow tiled building and its red doors. I was concerned when I notice that the doors had been painted and the windows in the doors were no long covered with faded Chinese newspapers. I always thought that the building was a long abandoned restaurant. I was wrong.The gallery is housed in a building that has been has been described alternately as a joss house, a Chinese Free Masonry Hall, and a benevolent tong association building. The building looks small but it is roomy inside. There is a large kitchen and the bottom floor opens on Main Street and the there is a balcony that also looks out of the street.The gallery had a different artist featured on each floor. If you are not in the market for a painting or iron work, there was also cards and jewelry. Or maybe just enjoy the building.A trip to Walnut Grove makes a nice day trip. There are other galleries in the small towns that line the River Road and a few iconic restaurants to enjoy a meal.