Sing Chong Building Chinatown San Francisco 3 cover photo - 271658489

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San Francisco's Chinatown is not just the first American Chinatown,it is also the largest and one of the most famous. When San Francisco was devastated by the 1906 Earthquake and Fire,no part of the city was saved,or destroyed,based on race,religion,or financial background. However,when it came time to rebuild,it was still illegal for anyone American born of Chinese ancestors to own any property or even building. Because of the neighborhoods history,many of the locals wanted to make sure they were able to stay,amid rising calls to have them relocated to a much further section of town,the Bayview. One of the biggest promotors of this 'New-Look Chinatown' was Look Tin Eli,whose spot on Grant Street is near the main Grant Street entrance to Chinatown,wanted his building to have large picture windows to show off the authentic style China type bazaars inside,and topped with an authentic Chinese style pagoda,all to entice passerby's inside. With all this planning by Look,the building,which opened in 1908,still had to be owned by a 'White' owner,Look was simply the manager. 'Sing Chong',which translates as 'Living Prosperity',stayed in business until 1970,but its building,and history,still live on to this day. As seen 15 February 2023.

sing chong building chinatown francisco francisco s american largest 1906 devastated city saved destroyed based race religion financial background rebuild illegal born chinese ancestors property neighborhoods history locals wanted rising relocated town biggest promotors new new look chinatown look tin eli entrance large windows authentic style china bazaars pagoda entice passerby s planning owned white owner simply opened 1908 sing chong translates living prosperity business earthquake fire famous inside topped manager