The Heart and Soul of Stockton Chinatown

[Doug 周]

Cross post from Chinese American Family History Research at Yahoo:

The exhibit below is at the San Joaquin County Historical Museum in Lodi, CA. See www.sanjoaquinhistory.org/ for details.


Washington Street: The Heart and Soul of Stockton Chinatown...extended through August 13
Relive Stockton Chinatown when it was a colorful, bustling business district in the area now traversed by the Crosstown Freeway. "Washington Street: The Heart and Soul of Stockton Chinatown" is a special exhibition that will continue through August 13, 2017. The exhibition is a collaborative effort between the museum and the Chinese Benevolent Association of Stockton. Research included a series of “Show ‘n’ Tell” sessions with members of the Greatest Generation and their descendants. They delved into their memories and dusted off storage boxes, painting a remarkable picture of a time and a culture in Stockton that is in danger of being forgotten. "Washington Street" chronicles Sam Fow (Cantonese for “third city”) from the early 1900s through redevelopment in the 1970s.

[Doug 周]

Enclosed are some photos from this exhibit. I doubt anyone on this Forum will visit this small display because of the distance from major metropolitan and resort areas. However, anyone visiting Yosemite National Parks from Northern California might consider stopping by. Please pay attention to the times the display is open. Consider carpooling as parking per vehicle is $5. Admission to the exhibits is $5/person.

Whereas Sylvia Sun Minnick identifies Stockton as Sam Fow www.goodreads.com/book/show/440075.Samfow , the Chinese historians from Redding also call their city Sam Fow. This means in Cantonese third city, compared to Di Fow (Big City aka San Francisco, port of entry) and Yee Fow (Second city, aka, Sacramento, major terminus by boat on the California Delta waterways from San Francisco.)

The display has 9 panels containing photos and descriptions of events and the growth of Stockton Chinatown. Compared to the former New York Historical Society Chinese American Exclusion Inclusion Exhibit chineseamerican.nyhistory.org/ there are less artifacts and items displayed. There are a lot of photos on loan from various Stockton business and individuals. There are a lot of stories from Stockton Chinese.

Unfortunately, Stockton Chinatown was ripped in half in 1956 to allow the cross town freeway access to two major highways. The same concept as the heritage of Hutongs within cities in China being destroyed for progress.

Please excuse my poor photography. Picture taking was not allowed and I had to be surreptitious.

[Doug 周]

[lachinatown]

Looks interesting Doug. You have larger pictures, they are very small.

[Doug 周]

Jul 30, 2017 15:53:38 GMT -5 lachinatown said:

...You have larger pictures, they are very small....

I made a mistake. Not Redding, but Marysville/Yuba City is called Sam Fow by regional historian Gordon Tom.


Geography of regional river systems and the waterways used for transportation.

[lachinatown]

Very good. Thanks Doug.