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Guide to the Frank Fat Collection, 1924-1999 (1960-1980)
MSS 2006/24
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Title: Frank Fat collection
Identifier/Call Number: MSS 2006/24
Contributing Institution:
California State University, Sacramento Special Collections & University Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
9.0 Linear feet
(1 manuscript box, 3 record cartons, 3 photograph boxes, 3 slide boxes, 3 oversize boxes, 2 oversize folders, and 2 framed
objects)
Date (bulk): Bulk, 1960-1980
Date (inclusive): 1924-1999
Abstract: Contains correspondence, photographs, realia, audio-visual materials and clippings documenting a prominent Sacramento Chinese-American
family, its restaurant business, and community engagement.
creator:
Fat, Frank
Documentation was accumulated by the Fat family and subsequently donated to the University Library in 2006.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
Dontated to the CSUS University Library in 2006 by the Frank Fat family.
Copyright is protected by the copyright law, Chapter 17 of the U.S. Code. Requests for permission to publish, quote, or reproduce
from collections must be submitted in writing to the Head of the Department of Special Collections and University Archives.
Permission for publication is given on the behalf of the Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Library,
California State University, Sacramento as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include permission of the
copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.
Conditions Governing Access note
Collection is open for research. Some restrictions may apply.
[Identification of item including date], [Folder Title], MSS 2006/24, Frank Fat collection, Department of Special Collections
and University Archives, The Library, California State University, Sacramento.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements note
Audio-visual materials require special access.
The Frank Fat collection (1924-1999) consists of 9 linear feet of correspondence, clippings, awards, ephemera, photographs,
slides and audio-visual materials. Created in bulk by Frank Fat, the collection documents the experience of a prominent Chinese-American,
immigrant, restaurateur and Sacramento-area community leader, as well as the life of his family. The holdings will interest
scholars of immigration studies, ethnic studies, Chinese-American history, Sacramento regional history and California politics.
Manuscript materials and realia were sorted into Series. Photographs were maintained in original order.
Dong Sai Fat (adopted name, "Frank") was born on May 12, 1904 in Wu Lang Village, within the Tai Shan clan. In 1919, at age
16, Fat arrived in the United States via San Francisco’s Angel Island. On his initial stay, Fat worked at his uncle’s Hong
King Lum restaurant at its “I” Street in Sacramento's Chinatown district. Throughout the 1920s he also worked odd jobs in
salons, orchards, and the laundry businesses in the American Midwest.
In 1924, Fat returned to China and married Yee Lai-Ching ("Mary Fat", 1908-1999) on December 18, 1924 by family arrangement.
While in China, he spent time with a wealthy older cousin, Don Cho-Long, an activist in the Chinese Koumentang Party. Through
his cousin Fat began to understand the power of money in politics. Mary Fat gave birth to Wing-Kai Fat in 1926, while Frank
returned to the United States without family.
After the 1929 Chicago stock market crash, and during the depression, Frank Fat continued to gain experience as a waiter in
various restaurants. And by 1930 Frank Fat had returned to Sacramento to work with his uncle at Hong King Lum. Ten years after
the birth of their first child, Lai-Ching and Wing-Kai were finally able to immigrate to Sacramento. Mary Fat would eventually
give birth to five more children. In 1939 Frank purchases the Truckadero restaurant at 806 “L” Street and opens "Frank Fat's"
Chinese restaurant. The restaurant becomes a success, hosting legislators, governors, lobbyists, and other politicians. Fat
himself gradually becomes an influential figure in state politics and a lobbyist for Chinese-Americans.
During and after the War, Mary Fat became involved in the Chinese Women’s association and the Chinese Benevolent Association.
Frank befriended nuemerous legislators and judges, including then-Governor, Earl Warren.
Frank Fat’s restaurant would eventually come to be known as the “third house of the legislature” where California politicians
and lobbyists made deals and formed policy.
During the 1960s, Fat continued to operate his business and began to be increasingly active in civic and community life, lobbying
on behalf of Chinese-American interests. By the 1970s, Frank Fat had retired and Wing-Kai had assumed leadership for the family
business. He oversaw its continued expansion-- including the founding of "China Camp," "Fat City," and two restaurant branches
in San Diego.
During the 1980s, Fat became director of the New Chinese Education Foundation. He also helped found the Chinese-American Council
of Sacramento.
Frank Fat died on April 5, 1997.
Mary Fat died on August 29, 1999.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Fat, Frank
Fat, Jerry
Fat, Lina
Fat, Mary
Fat, Tom
Fat, Wing K.
Moffat, Mabel
California--Politics and government.
China--Emigration and immigration
Chinese Americans
Chinese restaurants