Chinatown

Located in the heart of downtown San Francisco, Chinatown is one of the cities most well known districts. Chinese immigrants from the Guangdong province originally populated this neighborhood in the mid 1800’s when the first Chinese immigrants arrived in North America, creating North America’s oldest Chinatown.  These original immigrants were laborers, working on constructing railroads, helping with the gold rush, and helping the progression of the developing West Coast. Because of racism at the time, immigrants were secluded into ethnic neighborhoods; Chinatown, San Francisco being one of these neighborhoods. As time went on, more immigrants began to join the Chinatown neighborhood, making Chinatown one of the most densely populated districts.

As time progressed, so did Chinatown. While Chinatown and the residents who reside within Chinatown continue their timeless traditions, many Chinese Americans residing in Chinatown are modernizing their ways. This transition can be seen within the signage of Chinatown. Many of the traditional signs still remain, but with a modern twist. Hand-drawn signs are now seen in bright neon lights, and the old signs of the retro 60’s days – while still around – are no longer used and are out of sight. Technology has changed the way in which the signage of Chinatown is presented as well as read. Instead of large and extravagant signs sprawling the building sides, many small signs cover windows, doorways, and street-side walls. Technology has simplified the signage of Chinatown, and in a sense it has made the signage more compact.

Chinatown remains as one of San Francisco’s most visited neighborhoods. Tourists from around the nation and around the world come to Chinatown daily just to explore and take in the sights, shopping, art, cuisine, and environment. As we progress in life, its no doubt that Chinatown will progress as well. It will be interesting to see how Chinatown, a neighborhood with such rich and traditional history will progress.