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Wishing Well, Chinatown, Los Angeles

 
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Title
Wishing Well, Chinatown, Los Angeles
Creator
Distributed by Mitock & Sons, North Hollywood, California
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"
Format Extent
1 postcard : Color ; 9 x 14 cm.
Subject
Wishing wells--California--Los Angeles; Outdoor sculpture--California--Los Angeles;
Note
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.
Collection
Werner von Boltenstern Postcard Collection
Type
Geographic Location
Chinatown (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Language
eng
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