The last remnant of Los Angeles’ Old Chinatown (~1850-1940) shortly before it was demolished to build the 101 freeway. Ferguson Alley (the last Civil War-era entertainment center left in the city) and Calle De Los Negros (the site of the Chinese Massacre of 1871), both ran through the area.
The area east of Alameda St. was famously demolished to construct [Union Station](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Station_(Los_Angeles)) in the late ’30s. This is the area west of Alameda which survived as a sort of anachronism for about another decade.
Calle De Los Negros, originally named for African Pobladores (settlers) in the 18th century became present day Los Angeles St. On October 24th, 1871 a local police officer was inadvertently killed in a shootout between rival [tongs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tong_(organization)). Shortly afterward 500+ hispanic and anglo residents stormed Chinatown.
The mob burned and looted Chinese business and [lynched 17-20 Chinese men](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_massacre_of_1871), including Dr. Gene Tong the most influential Chinese person in the city, from upright wagons and poles. It remains the worst mass lynching (hanging) in American history. And the first of many episodes of horrendous racial violence in American Los Angeles.
Edit: I should also mention the [Chinese American Museum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_American_Museum) which inhabits the last remaining building left from Old Chinatown. They also have a memorial to those killed during the massacre.
moose098 says
The area east of Alameda St. was famously demolished to construct [Union Station](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Station_(Los_Angeles)) in the late ’30s. This is the area west of Alameda which survived as a sort of anachronism for about another decade.
Calle De Los Negros, originally named for African Pobladores (settlers) in the 18th century became present day Los Angeles St. On October 24th, 1871 a local police officer was inadvertently killed in a shootout between rival [tongs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tong_(organization)). Shortly afterward 500+ hispanic and anglo residents stormed Chinatown.
The mob burned and looted Chinese business and [lynched 17-20 Chinese men](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_massacre_of_1871), including Dr. Gene Tong the most influential Chinese person in the city, from upright wagons and poles. It remains the worst mass lynching (hanging) in American history. And the first of many episodes of horrendous racial violence in American Los Angeles.
Edit: I should also mention the [Chinese American Museum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_American_Museum) which inhabits the last remaining building left from Old Chinatown. They also have a memorial to those killed during the massacre.
Aqiylran says
Imagin if all of Los Angeles look like this
ivix says
Same viewpoint today: [https://goo.gl/maps/kCSR9BEZ4R4Lq1df6](https://goo.gl/maps/kCSR9BEZ4R4Lq1df6)
mooseLimbsCatLicks says
They always built highways through the neighborhoods of the least powerful residents, usually minorities and African Americans
sweetgooglymoogly says
Based on the Hall of Justice being under construction in the background, this photo date is circa 1924-1925.
Edit: Apologies! Hall of Justice is completed. That’s the US District Court so photo date is circa 1939-1940.
Arizoniac says
Who Framed Roger Rabbit anyone?