New Chinatown, Los Angeles, California
Identifier
post_00067
Title
New Chinatown , Los Angeles , California
Creator
unknown
Date Published
circa 1940
Subject (Topic)
Wishing wells--California--Los Angeles ; Outdoor sculpture--California--Los Angeles ;
Subject (Name)
Liu , Hong K. ; Seven Star Cavern ;
Subject (Place)
Chinatown (Los Angeles , Calif.) ; Seven Star Cavern ;
Type
image
Form/Genre
Postcards
Physical Description
1 postcard : b&w ; 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
Longshaw Card Co .
Place of Publication
Los Angeles
Language
eng
Description
Within a low brick wall lies a pool of water surrounded by a small hill constructed of foliage and moss . Scattered bridges , pools , and statues decorate winding paths which lead to a summit ; a sign close to top reads:"Wishing Well " other signs read:"Success ; lucky ; always happy "
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 . Located near the West Gate on Gin Ling Way in New Chinatown , the Wishing Well and Miniature Mountain were created by artist Lim Hong Kay who modeled them after the Sacred Seven Star Caverns in Canton , China . In the pool is a miniature hill covered with small statues of the Chinese Eight Immortals . At the summit a blue figure of the goddess Quan Yin stands beneath the arch of a shrine , guarded by blue lions . Behind the well stands the stump of a willow tree , which was planted by the late Chinese American actress , Anna May Wong , whose name means frosted yellow willow .
Additional Printed Matter
On back:"In a setting of Old China, with shrines, lily pools, and courts, the Chinese have gathered the art treasures of the Orient. Here is offered silks, antiques, jewelry, and thousands of beautiful souvenirs. The delicacies prepared in the fine Chinese restaurants are fit for a Mandarin, and delight the palate as well as the eye."
Source
Werner von Boltenstern Postcard Collection
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