Who was Goon Dip?

Endeavoring to better his situation, Goon Dip obtained employment with a
prominent labor contractor, Moy Bok-hin. His command of English and business skills quickly enabled him to take on more responsibility and establish new business practices. One of these was to employ those not physically suited for hard labor, to sew clothes, establishing the garment industry in Portland.
Goon Dip established his own business partnership in 1900 with the opening of G.S. Long Co. named after his his cousin Goon Song-Loong. He eventually moved his own businesses, dry goods and hemstitching to 193 Third St. calling it "G.D. Young" which meant literally "Seal of Goon Dip". Here he also began contacting labor for various enterprises. When his former boss, Moy Bok Hin, was appointed as honorary consul by the Chinese government in anticipation of the Lewis and Clark Exposition held in Portland in 1905, Goon Dip saw opportunity. Together he and Moy bought the Oregon Hotel to take advantage of the influx of visitors. Goon Dip would repeat this strategy
in Seattle in 1909 to take advantage of the Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition.


		Arguably the most prominent figure of his time, Goon Yun-dip was an entrepreneur, diplomat and community leader. Born around 1862 in Seung Gok, Mei Nam in Sun Ning District, Guandong Province. At the age of 14 he obtained passage to America and arrived in Portland, Oregon. He then moved on to Tacoma, Washington, where the Goon clan had already established a presence. He worked as a laborer for his 'uncle' Goon Sing. However, due to the increasing hostility towards the Chinese in Tacoma Goon Dip soon returned to China. Upon his return he married, assuming the adult name of Goon Kay-sahn. His wife, Chin Yook-nui, also had family connections in the Pacific Northwest among whom was Chin Gee Hee.
		The Introduction to American Life
		Goon Dip returned to Portland, but overwhelmed by the uncertainty of his future in this city, he was powerless to act. Coming to his aid was a young woman about his age, Ella McBride. Ella brought him to her parent's home where he was employed as a houseboy. Ella taught Goon Dip English and introduced him to American life
		The Beginning of His Businesses
		Endeavoring to better his situation, Goon Dip obtained employment with a prominent labor contractor, Moy Bok-hin. His command of English and business skills quickly enabled him to take on more responsibility and establish new business practices. One of these was to employ those not physically suited for hard labor, to sew clothes, establishing the garment industry in Portland. Goon Dip established his own business partnership in 1900 with the opening of G.S. Long Co. named after his his cousin Goon Song-Loong. He eventually moved his own businesses, dry goods and hemstitching to 193 Third St. calling it "G.D. Young" which meant literally "Seal of Goon Dip". Here he also began contacting labor for various enterprises. When his former boss, Moy Bok Hin, was appointed as honorary consul by the Chinese government in anticipation of the Lewis and Clark Exposition held in Portland in 1905, Goon Dip saw opportunity. Together he and Moy bought the Oregon Hotel to take advantage of the influx of visitors. Goon Dip would repeat this strategy in Seattle in 1909 to take advantage of the Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition.
		Creating Opportunity in Seattle
		Goon dip was appointed by the Chinese government to be the honorary Chinese council in 1906 and he served as the representative of the Chinese government during the 1909 World's Fair in Seattle. Goon Dip again saw this as an opportunity to prosper and proceeded to build a hotel. Choosing the new area created by the Jackson Street regrade, which was situated near the new King Street Train Station, Goon Dip built the Milwaukee Hotel at 668 King St. It remains to this day in the center of Chinatown with the words "Goon Dip Young" over the doorway. Goon Dip continued to reside in Portland and so when he had business in Seattle he stayed on the top floor of the Milwaukee. Goon Dip's chauffeur and personal assistant, George Nishimura, was his constant companion and George's sister Mary was the hotel's first housekeeper.

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