Description
The collection comprises 159 postcards,
primarily of Chinatown in San Francisco, California, from approximately 1901 to 1987.
Subjects include individuals, families, restaurants, tea gardens, markets, bazaars, joss
houses, shops, parades, and street scenes. The collection also includes a few postcards of
Chinatowns in Los Angeles, New York City, and Victoria, British Columbia.
Background
Established in 1850, San Francisco's Chinatown is the oldest Chinatown in North America and
contains one of the largest concentrations of ethnic Chinese people residing outside of
Asia. From approximately 1850 to 1900, it was the port of entry into the United States for
most Chinese immigrants from the southern Guangdong province. Chinatown covers approximately
24 to 30 blocks in downtown San Francisco.
Restrictions
Property rights reside with the University of California. Intellectual property rights are
retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permissions to reproduce or to
publish, please contact the Head of Special Collections and Archives.