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September 2023 by Allena C.
We ventured to Walnut Grove/Locke area just to check out the Chinese community that once lived here. Lots of history remains in these walls which was once a gambling hall. It's pretty much left without anyone attending to it and you're free to explore the rooms as you choose. It was eerie with dim lighting and unusual warped-out floors. I'm not sure if it was always like this in the past, but it felt like they tried to build a ramp or the foundation needs major work, but I'm assuming they want to preserve it as it was many years ago. As we walked around the museum, it showed buttons and other household items used as chips or "money" in case the police would try to catch them in the act. There were gaming tables for dominoes, poker, mah jong ...etc. Back then, gambling was prohibited and I'm sure law enforcement was not lenient if you were found gambling, so they had to be careful not to get caught. Imagine the excitement this gambling hall brought to this small Chinese community! Drinking, smoking, and gambling go hand in hand when you're shaking off boredom in a town with nothing to do. Still to this day, the emotions still fill the artifacts of this historical place. And if you believe in ghosts, I think they had a few here. My bf and I felt an odd heaviness while we were there. For my bf, it didn't go away until he napped in the car. And he is not spiritual or a believer in ghosts, so it's not like he was seeking for anything. I didn't feel the same energy drain as he did. The heaviness left me when I left the museum. I hope nothing followed us home! So be on guard and keep safe!
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September 2023 by Ed Pabon
Went to Locke on a Friday to get a little taste of history. Everything but one shop and the local bar was closed. A resident told me the only Chinese restaurant here closed permanently two weeks earlier. Go at your own risk.
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March 2023 by Cassandra N.
This is an incredibly immersive museum! I had no idea there was such a rich history of Chinese people on the delta. It's a small and dark area, but is rich in artifacts and historical tidbits. Hopefully it stays up and running for a while- it's a great stop while in Locke.
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January 2023 by Adrian P.
Price range: FREE (donations encouraged) To consider: there is FREE parking everywhere. Wait time: was none all throughout the old towns stores. Shoutout(s): the people of Locke for keeping it old. Thanks for keeping Locke a hidden gem! Thanks for the wonderful time capsule vibes. Location review: don't blink because you'll miss it! Expectations: met! I thought it'd look old and I'd get a historical California energy, and I did. Such a great experience! Improvements: I'd say restore a few things to make it safe. Some stuff was really sketchy. Last words: leave your fancy shoes at home and come explore a small piece of California's gold!
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November 2022 by ceskydup
An excellent little gambling museum on the main street of Locke. Nice pictures and exhibits. It would have been nicer if they give a history of the brothel too. Maybe next time.
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June 2022 by Kat Arnett
Detour worthy for this place alone.
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April 2022 by DarlingStarling27
Great little free museum! There was a gentleman onsite giving a game demo with buttons that incredibly interesting! Loved reading about the history and the importance to the area. I definitely recommend!
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August 2021 by May A.
Magnificently preserved Dai Loy Museum The word "Dai Loy" in Chinese means "Big Welcome." Initially constructed in 1916 it housed some of the exhibits of Chinese gambling paraphernalia. When we stepped inside it immediately brought us back in time as if the clocks all stopped a few years before WWII. As I mentioned it was built in 1916 and operated as a gambling house until 1950 when it was forced to shut down by government officials. Now a museum, it remains an important part of the historical architecture of Main Street. We entered the unmanned building. Imagine if you will a place that's dimly lit where cigar and cigarette smoke drifted through the air, the clatter of chips and dominoes mixed with a tune of a Chinese harp being played in the back of the room. That's how it must've been during its illegal heyday. We wandered inside this wooden building and we saw gaming tables, game cards, large pieces of dominoes, poker chips, pair of dice, photos (lots of them), iron knuckles and lead pipes? probably to keep sore losers at bay. There was also a mini replica of a Chinese funeral procession (of a notable dignitary). It was encased in a glass case (handmade and very old). Zak Bagans and the Ghost Adventure crew were here at one time and investigated the casino. They did an episode that aired in February 2016. We did our own amateur version of ghost hunting with hubby's GhostTube app. We found a lot of activity here allowing us to detect some type of paranormal experience. The caretaker's room had a jacket that identified a human figure (in stick form). See videos posted. The museum is free. I love Locke, very cool visiting this Chinese-American time capsule. This is a great place to understand the history of the area. Review #2364
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July 2021 by Cat C.
A great place to understand the history of the area. Also, reportedly a haunted place.
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June 2021 by Fiona N.
Very interesting to see all the stuffs left behind. It was as free admission when we visited today but not sure if they charge on other days.
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May 2021 by John Kelly
Fascinating look at the past.
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December 2020 by Chris F.
Wonderful, well-preserved example of early-1900s rural Chinese town 'gentlemen's club'. Many photos, items, and information from the period. Fascinating how life has changed in 100 years.
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December 2019 by P K.
Fantastic documentation of historic Locke. I honestly don't know how this area is not more appreciated. This is deep deep Chinese American history and so essential to any true Californians historical education. If you don't come here you are a poser
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November 2019 by Ed Comfort
Cool place
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October 2019 by Sam Yu
It is a well preserved part of Chinese history in California.
