Photographic Postcards of Los Angeles New Chinatown and China City: Finding Aid photCL 700
Suzanne Oatey
The Huntington Library
May 2023
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Business Number: (626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Photographic postcards of Los Angeles New Chinatown and China City
Identifier/Call Number: photCL 700
Physical Description:
0.6 Linear Feet
(1 box)
Date (inclusive): 1938-1940
Abstract: Photographic postcards of Los Angeles
New Chinatown and China City, 1938 to 1940, shortly after they were built.
Language of Material: Materials are in
English.
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[Identification of item]. Photographic postcards of Los Angeles New Chinatown and China
City, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from Daniel / Oliver Gallery, May 2023.
After the partial demolition of Los Angeles Old Chinatown in 1935, Peter SooHoo, Sr. led
the New Chinatown development project and Christine Sterling began work on China City, a
themed tourist attraction. Both commercial developments opened to the public in 1938.
A group of 16 photographic postcards of the commercial areas of Los Angeles New Chinatown
and China City, taken between approximately 1938 and 1940, shortly after they were built.
The postcards were made for commercial sale and most have white lettered titles across the
bottom of the photographs. The images focus on Chinese-style architecture featuring a large
pagoda, gateway structures, a statue, restaurants, and shops with neon lighting. Several are
credited to photographer Harry Quillen.
Processed by Suzanne Oatey in May 2023.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Chinatown (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Chinese Americans -- California -- Los Angeles
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- Buildings, structures, etc.
Photographic postcards
Photographs
Box 1
Photographic postcards of Los Angeles New Chinatown and China City