New Chinatown, Los Angeles, California
Identifier
post_00122
Title
New Chinatown , Los Angeles , California
Creator
unknown
Date Published
circa 1950
Subject (Topic)
Decoration and ornament , Architectural--California--Los Angeles ; Neon signs--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
http://library.lmu.edu/generalinformation/departments/digitallibraryprogram/copyrightandreproductionpolicy/
Publisher
Allard Novelty & Postcard Co .
Place of Publication
Los Angeles
Language
eng
Description
In the darkness , the East Gate is colorfully illuminated in neon . Sign reads:"Gateway New Chinatown. "
Historical Background
The original Los Angeles Chinatown began in the late 1800s as a small settlement on Calle De Los Negros , between El Pueblo Plaza and Old Arcadia Street , and expanded east across Alameda Street . Suffering from absentee landlords and a lack of municipal services and code enforcement , the area was in decline when the city forced residents out and demolished it to make way for the new Union Station Terminal . Two new Chinatowns were created : China City , a tourist attraction , complete with rickshaw rides , brainchild of Christine Sterling , founder of Olvera Street ; and New Chinatown , a business and residential neighborhood created and funded by the Chinese community under the leadership of Peter Soo Hoo . Both opened to great fanfare in 1938 . New Chinatown is framed by two gates , or pailou . East Gate , or the Broadway Gate , was designed by You Chung Hong . A plaque whose four Chinese characters translate as "Cooperate to Achieve " was composed by Chinese Consul , Honorable T.K . Chang , and placed by Attorney Hong as a tribute to his own and all mothers . The gate is thus also known as the Gate of Maternal Virtues . The East Gate was refit in 1985 as part of a Chinatown beautification and rehabilitation project .
Additional Printed Matter
On back:"Night view of the entrance. New Chinatown is a setting of Old China with its Shrines, Courts, and Art Treasures of the Orient. Chinese Restaurants prepare delicacies fit for a Mandarin."
Publisher's Identifier
Publisher's serial number: C12114
Contributors
Mills , David M. ; Natural Color by Mike Roberts , Berkeley , California
Source
Werner von Boltenstern Postcard Collection
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