A HISTORY OF SIGNIFICANT RESILIENCE
LA Chinatown is one of the most important Chinatowns (among eighty) in the United States. Its Central Plaza, where the current LA Chinatown was first established in 1938, was the first planned Chinatown in North America with the distinction of being owned exclusively by Chinese Americans.
Previously, the original Chinatown (first established in the 1870s) was completely destroyed during the mid-1930’s to make way for the construction of Union Station (completed in 1939). The only surviving structure was the Garnier Building, which later became the Chinese American Museum in 2003.
These displaced residents were scattered in various Los Angeles locations for several years. Then in 1938, the current LA Chinatown was created under the leadership of Peter Soo Hoo Sr, attorney Y.C. Hong, and various Chinese American merchants. For several decades it became an important commercial success and tourist destination in the City of Los Angeles.
The Central Plaza is distinguished by its unique architecture and site planning that resemble a Chinese village with modern touches. New additions have enhanced the area, such as the Bruce Lee statute and a few contemporary businesses.
Later, the courage and dedication of these founders laid the foundation for two major civil rights actions that were initiated at the Central Plaza (1940s to 1970’s). These commitments further advance the welfare of the Chinese American community, and eventually other underrepresented communities.
The first was undertaken by attorney Y.C. Hong who helped to over turn the 1882 Exclusion Act in 1942 after 60 year period of federal racial discrimination against Chinese Americans. Eventually, he and his legal colleagues paved the way for further improvement of federal immigration policies for Chinese and other immigrants. Hong assisted a large number of clientele on immigration rights at his Central Plaza office for 38 years (1939-1977).
The second was undertaken by owner Fung Chow Chan of the Phoenix Bakery. While at the Central Plaza (1941 to 1977), he founded Cathay Bank (1962) and East West Bank (1973) to help Chinese American finance their businesses and homes during a time of systematic racial discrimination in these areas against Chinese Americans. Later, his actions also benefited other underrepresented communities. In 1977, the Phoenix Bakery moved to its enlarged present facility at 969 North Broadway.
During almost nine decades, the Central Plaza has proved to be an invaluable anchor for further growth of the current larger Chinatown community with its numerous small businesses and cultural institutions.
These entrepreneurial businesses are noted for their innovative culinary offerings and also extensive assortments of bargain goods. In 2024, the City of Los Angeles evaluated 130 of Chinatown’s small businesses as eligible for its Business Legacy program because they reflected the culture and values of the Chinese American community. Currently, 81 have been designated with a gain of $350,000 to certain Chinatown businesses from two LA City’s sponsored lotteries.
In addition, the establishment of the Central Plaza. as a stable community anchor has helped to produce a multitude of local organizations that have greatly enriched LA Chinatown’s population. They include civil rights organizations, historic societies, civic groups, special interests gatherings, and several religious organizations that now reflect the rich variety of its multi-cultural population.
Annually, a sense of community is formally re-created at the Central Plaza with a Chinese New Year celebration that later culminates in a parade of several blocks.
The Central Plaza’s eastern border is Broadway, which is part of the historic U.S. Route 99. This 2,400 miles highway crosses numerous states, beginning in Chicago and ending at Santa Monica. At present, plans are being made to designate Route 99 as a Federal National Historic Trail. This legislation will increase permanently the preservation of this historic route, and also provide economic viability for small businesses that are along this route—which include those in Chinatown.
The above project follows the preservation practices of the National Trust’s Save Chinatown program: https://savingplaces.org/chinatowns and APIAHIP (Asian and Pacific Islander Americans in Historic Preservation): https://apiahip.org/