China City
Identifier
post_00060
Title
China City
Creator
unknown
Date Published
circa 1944
Subject (Topic)
Chinese Restaurants--California--Los Angeles ; Decoration and ornament , Architectural--California--Los Angeles ;
Subject (Place)
Chinatown (Los Angeles , Calif.) ;
Type
image
Form/Genre
Postcards
Physical Description
1 postcard : Color ; 9 x 14 cm .
Institution
Department of Archives and Special Collections , William H . Hannon Library , Loyola Marymount University
Country of Creation
US
Copyright Status
public domain
Copyright Statement
https://library.lmu.edu/policies&procedures/librarycopyrightpolicy/
Publisher
Gardner-Thompson Co .
Place of Publication
Los Angeles , California
Language
eng
Description
Steps leading down to sunken courtyard with shops and restaurants ; shop sign reads"China City Gift Shop , Chinese Pajamas and Souvenirs , We Rent Costumes and Everything Chinese for Masquerade Parties " woman in Western clothing is getting a rickshaw ride from a man in Chinese clothing ; cloth awnings provide shade ; Chinese lanterns decorate courtyard ; trees .
Historical Background
When the original Chinatown was demolished to make way for Union Terminal , two projects replaced it . One , China City , was the brainchild of Christine Sterling , founder of Olvera Street . She promoted the recreation of an old-style walled Chinese street that would help relocate displaced Chinese shops while serving as an exotic tourist destination , complete with rickshaw rides . Filmmaker Cecil B . De Mille donated settings , costumes , and property from the 1937 film , The Good Earth . Bounded by Ord , N . Spring , Macy , and North Main , China City opened in June , 1938 . Much of the original was destroyed by fire . Together with New Chinatown , the China City area ultimately became part of the larger neighborhood of Chinatown .
Additional Printed Matter
On back:"A breath of the Orient located in the heart of Los Angeles, 'China City' offers attractions rarely to be found outside of the Orient itself. Here may be found Chinese dishes to delight the palate, as well as rare gifts and treasures from old China. One of the big attractions of Los Angeles. California Scenic View"
Publisher's Identifier
Publisher's serial number: 47507; Series number: 40
Additional Notes
Printed on linen textured paper . Approximate date from postmark .
Source
Werner von Boltenstern Postcard Collection
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