HISTORICAL SITE ANALYSIS PAPER

HISTORICAL SITE ANALYSIS PAPER

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Historical Site Analysis Paper

Chinatown is one of the neighborhoods in Downtown Los Angeles, California that turned into a commercial center for the Chinese people and other Asian communities in Los Angeles since 1938. The area includes art galleries, shops, and restaurants. The area includes residential neighborhood with low-income and aging population of nearly 21,000 people.[1] Elysian Park borders Chinatown to the north, the Lincoln Heights the east, Echo Park to the west, and Downtown to the south. About three schools and two libraries are in Chinatown to serve local residents.[2] The report explores the historical aspect of Chinatown and shows how the existing neighborhood was formed following the destruction of the old site. Even though the neighborhood lacks formal recognition as a historical site the local government and other relevant groups acknowledge its historical importance and allow local and foreign visitors to access the area in Downtown Los Angeles. The study elaborates how the neighborhood reminds California residents of a time when racial discrimination was rampant in the country and only Whites enjoyed more and better opportunities. Furthermore, the neighborhood reminds the people of California the time when the initial groups of people from China first entered the country, and how their entry helped to improve the economy. The relevant stakeholders should call for more protection of the area because of the essential economic and cultural functions the neighborhood serves.

History

Thousands of Chinese men mostly from Guangdong Province in China entered the U.S. in the early 1860s, most of who worked for the Central Pacific Railroad Company. At least 20 Chinese men and boys were killed by a group of 500 men in Los Angeles in 1871, and the incident is regarded as one of the worst to have happened in the American West.[3] The initial formal streets inhabited by the Chinese were Macy and Alameda Streets and this was in 1880. Chinatown expanded to 15 streets by 1910 and the alleys contained about 210 buildings. The area boasted of three temples, Chinese theater, telephone and newspaper services. The laws permitting the entry and stay of the Chinese, however, were strict and inhibited further growth. Chinatown started to fall from the mid-1910s and the increased corrupt practices in Los Angeles tarnished the public’s perception of Chinatown with increased opium spots and gambling houses affecting business in the region. The Supreme Court further ordered for the demolition of Chinatown to allow for the construction of the Union Station that would serve as a major rail terminal, which forced residents to be evicted from the place. Christine Sterling worked hard to rebuild China City in the late 1930s but during the 11 years of its existence it was engulfed by fire several times before an act of arson led to its destruction in 1949. The plans to develop New Chinatown started in the late 1930s with Peter Soo Hoo who served as the leader of the Chinese-American community developing the plan for development. The place recorded significant growth during the 1940s, and by 1980s many commercial buildings had been erected. Even though many people are now leaving Chinatown for the City of Monterey Park, which has a considerably large population, it still attracts many people who visit the place for different reasons.

Preservation of Chinatown

Chinatown is under the management of the Los Angeles City Council, which runs its activities under the mayor-council government. The local government does not give any special designation showing Chinatown is an historical site, but acknowledges the values local residents and the entire state gains from the area.[4] The Society for the Preservation of Downtown Los Angeles, also called SP-DTLA continues to playcritical roles in advocating for the preservation of historical sites in the city and its operations extend to Chinatown. Other than advocating for the protection of historical sites in Los Angeles, SP-DTLA encourages the protection of viewsheds and view corridors.[5] The group believes that protecting such places have long-term effects on the city of LA and on the entire state. It is apparent, however, that more protection is required to safeguard Chinatown and recognize it as a historical site just like the others that enjoy adequate protection. A suitable way to achieve more protection for the site is for the board members to reach out for the relevant authorities and offer more convincing reasons as to why the place should get more protection.

The administrators place considerable attention to preserving Chinatown because it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Downtown Los Angeles. Many people visit the place to taste the Chinese cuisine while others visit the place to see the Chinese architecture. A big number of tourists visiting the new Chinatown go to the Chinese American Museum that is housed in the Garnier Building, which is accredited to be the oldest existing Chinese building in the larger metropolitan area of California.[6] Chinatown plays essential roles in shaping California in the way it contributes towards revenue generation through the tourists entering the neighborhood every year. The revenue the local government generates from the businesses in the location as well as from tourists visiting the destination helps to improve the various aspects, and may further encourage the relevant authorities to place more focus on protecting the site.

How Chinatown Relates to the History of California

Chinatown tells a lot about the History of the American state of California. The neighborhood depicts California as one of the earliest dwelling places for the Chinese in the U.S with the earliest Chinese immigrants (a woman and two men) arriving in San Francisco. The tribulations the initial Chinese settlers experienced in Los Angeles tell a lot about the history of the place. The Chinese massacre of 1871, for example, depicts the state as one where people were racists and less patient with foreigners. About 500 White men made their way through Chinatown, attacked, stole things, and killed a number of Chinese residents.[7] The attackers had been angered by news of a White policeman who lost his life after a Chinese rancher shot and killed him. About 20 Chinese people lost their lives during the attack that created immense fear among the Chinese settlers in the U.S.

The racial clashes against the Chinese in Los Angeles were a reflection of racism in the U.S. at a time when many ethnically and racially structured institutions existed. Some of the institutions that supported racism during the 1870s include internment camps, segregation, slavery, and naturalization laws.[8] Before the banning of slavery in the U.S. in the early 20^th century racial stratification was rampant in various areas including education, housing, employment, and the government. The Jim Crow laws placed stiffer regulations on non-whites, particularly African Americans who were increasingly advocating for equality. The Ku Klux Klan attacked minority groups in the 1920s, and such attacks raised fears among many who thought something needed to happen to save the situation.

Plaques, Fliers, or Tours Tell about the Popular Understanding of the Site’s History

Looking at the plaques and fliers in the town or taking a tour across Chinatown present valuable information about the town that has more Asian residents. The entry to the neighborhood (Twin Dragon) has the traditional Chinese dragon symbol, which insinuates that a person is entering a place where many Chinese people inhabit.[9] Watching the architecture and the construction styles of particular buildings suggest that the early Chinese settlers in the region had significant impact on the construction style, and further depict how the Americans finally allowed foreigners to settle in the region.[10] The design used to build the entry to the Central Plaza in Chinatown is a perfect example of architectural styles that pull many local and foreign visitors to the region.[11] Plaques indicating when particular buildings or monuments were established indicate that the Chinese entered the town many years ago and are now part of the American, specifically the Californian culture. The Chinatown Gateway Monument, for example, reveals how the Local government of Los Angeles welcomes Chinatown and is ready to support the requirements of the people residing in the locality. Other plaques inform the public of the influential people in Chinatown, particularly highlighting the committee members, donors, and supporters and volunteers. Furthermore, certain pillars within the neighborhood have inscriptions that help visitors understand the place history.

Missing Facts in the Site’s Interpretation

It is possible to identify some missing factors regarding the interpretation of Chinatown, which may help to get a wider view of the site. An example of information that misses yet it could play essential roles in interpreting the site is identifying the factors that threaten the current wellbeing of the neighborhood. Highlighting the factors that could disrupt the existence of Chinatown would make it possible to make suitable decisions regarding ways of improving the area and make it more appealing. Another missing fact in the interpretation of the site is the number of non-Asians who reside in the neighborhood. Providing such demographic information could help investors make suitable decisions on whether to invest in the locality or not. It may also be essential to offer clear insight on the neighborhood’s future, especially now that America places considerable attention to building diversity.

Conclusion

The report shows how despite lacking protection as an official historic site Chinatown in Los Angeles plays crucial historical functions. The neighborhood reminds Americans, particularly the residents of California of a time when racial discrimination and segregation engulfed the American society and only White communities enjoyed better services and had more opportunities. The local governments together with other authorities recognize the significant of Chinatown and put considerable effort to safeguard its people and the visitors entering the place. Chinatown relates to the history of California in the way it reminds residents at a time when racial discrimination was rampant across the country, and in the way it marks the entry of Chinese people in the U.S. The groups responsible for operations in Chinatown need to advocate for more protection considering the neighborhood’s cultural and economic values.

Works Cited

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. “Los Angeles – Chinatown, California.” Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, 2019,

https://www.achp.gov/preserve-america/community/los-angeles-chinatown-california Accessed on 31 October, 2019.

Asian Pacific Islander. “Chinatown – History.” Asian Pacific Islander, n.a., http://www.visitasianla.org/index.php/chinatown/history Accessed on 31 October, 2019.

Bonnie, Tsui. American Chinatown: A People’s History of Five Neighborhoods. New York: Penguin Books, 2009.

Emerson, Michael and Smith Christian. Divided by Faith: Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001.

Longfellow, Ki. China Blues. Los Angeles: Eio Books, 2012.

Zesch, Scott. The Chinatown War: Chinese Los Angeles and the Massacre of 1871. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012.

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[1] Asian Pacific Islander. “Chinatown – History.” Asian Pacific Islander, n.a. < http://www.visitasianla.org/index.php/chinatown/history > Accessed on 31 October, 2019.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Tsui Bonnie. American Chinatown: A People’s History of Five Neighborhoods (New York: Penguin Books, 2009), 43.

[4] Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. “Los Angeles – Chinatown, California.” Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, 2019. <https://www.achp.gov/preserve-america/community/los-angeles-chinatown-california> Accessed on 31 October, 2019.

[5] Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. “Los Angeles – Chinatown, California.” Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, 2019. <https://www.achp.gov/preserve-america/community/los-angeles-chinatown-california> Accessed on 31 October, 2019.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Zesch, Scott. The Chinatown War: Chinese Los Angeles and the Massacre of 1871 (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012), 25.

[8] Tsui Bonnie. American Chinatown: A People’s History of Five Neighborhoods (New York: Penguin Books, 2009), 49.

[9] Ki Longfellow. China Blues (Los Angeles: Eio Books, 2012) 27. 

[10] Michael, Emerson and Christian Smith. Divided by Faith: Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001), 51.

[11] Ibid, 35.