SF Images - Chinatown

Chinatown

View North, Grant Street

c 1920

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View North, Grant Street

c 1920

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Chinaman Carrying Supplies, San Francisco, c. 1880

The Gold Rush lured many Chinese to California. They later migrated to the urban areas during the 1860's and '70's, soon becoming dominant in the work force in the industries of canning, cigars, woolen mills, shoes, sewing, laundries and restaurants. They were a perceived a labor threat by many as they were such hard workers.

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Chinatown, Grant Ave viewing North, c. 1890

Anti-Chinese sentiment forced Chinese Americans into ethnic enclaves like Chinatown for their protection. Other factors were language difficulties, poverty, preference, and discrimination. In 1906 the entire old Chinatown burned, but the Chinese returned to rebuild, despite efforts to relocate them to a less desirable area of the city.

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