Did the Chinese beat Columbus to America?

[senob44]

I don't think so.
With a brief review of a map of the U.S., one will find the cities of Columbus, Georgia; Columbus, Nebraska; Columbus, Indiana; Columbus, Wisconsin; Columbus, New Jersey; Columbus, New York; Columbus, Iowa; Columbus, Ohio; Columbus, Kentucky; Columbus, Kansas; Columbus, New Mexico; Columbus, Montana; heck, even two—count 'em—two Columbus Townships in Michigan, one for each peninsula! If some mariner sailing under the flag of China had in fact preceded the intrepid ol' Cristoforo, then certainly all of the above communities would be named for the leading Chinaman of the expedition. No question about it.

While I deem that you wax eloquently bordering on poetic, I must posit that you apparently "overlooked" some of our Oriently named outposts. Guangdhaou City, AZ; Tientieng, KS; Chiangzhen, OK; New Shanghai, WA; Chicken Foot, NV; or Big Huangdong, CA! You may not find these on any map, but trust me they are there! That the Chinese never crossed what would become the Mississippi River has been their downfall, but let me tell you, they certainly did their best to "foul the waters" for whoever might venture there next. Thus the troubles of East St. Louis. The remaining Chinese either returned to China in their amphibious rickshaws or blended in with friendly indian tribes. This explains famous Indian warriors by the names of "Short Brother", "Wok Master" and the Nez Perce "Big Chief Panda".

The fact is, the Chinese have a proud naval history that continues to this day. Most of the finest intermodal container captains in the world are Chinese. They are responsible for closing the doors of the container and keeping everybody under control for 12 weeks until the Coast Guard discovers them or they reach their destination. Not as easy as it seems.

 

[DrMotorcity]

While I deem that you wax eloquently bordering on poetic, I must posit that you apparently "overlooked" some of our Oriently named outposts...

There may be some historical accuracy to your remarks, Senob, as local legend has it that the much muck-maligned metropolis of Hamtramck, Michigan was originally named for the person who discovered Old
Albion ('England," in the term of the Lehman, and a few of his brothers as well), that buckler of swash, that sea-faring dare-doer and marinated man of magnificence, the almighty Kung Fu Dude.

That's what I've heard, and have even seen it written on the partition of a public wash room at the train station just the other day. May even have been the men's room.