Oakland's old San Pablo Avenue Chinatown: New Discoveries
Oakland Asian Cultural Center exhibit
An exhibit of new findings about the rediscovered Chinatown on San Pablo Ave is now open at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. The exhibit, presented by UptownChinatown.org, aims to help let people know about the upcoming archaeological work, what might be at stake, and how they can have a voice in deciding the outcome.
In the 1860s Oakland’s early Chinese pioneers created a community in the area of San Pablo Avenue between 19th and 20th Streets. A 1950s history by longtime Oaklander Edward Chew recorded this community being targeted for removal by the then city authorities, who desired to redevelop the land for profit. New research into the former Chinatown corroborates Chew’s account, and demonstrates how archaeology could tell us about the lives of these early pioneers and provide evidence to correct the old racist descriptions.
Prior to the site being redeveloped for the city-subsidized Uptown Project, archaeologists will search for and study archaeological remains of the old Chinatown. The City of Oakland agrees it’s important for community members to have input into how the archaeological study is designed and implemented. The San Pablo Avenue Chinatown exhibit invites viewers to participate in the community review session to take place at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center.
Curated by archaeologist Anna Naruta, a founding member of UptownChinatown.org, the OACC-hosted exhibit expands on a commemoration of the early pioneers at the very site of the Chinatown, in a mini-display in the 120-year-old storefront at 1972 San Pablo Ave. An online version of the mini-display can be seen at UptownChinatown.org.
Throughout Fall 2004, the OACC's new permanent exhibit on the San Pablo Avenue Chinatown was complemented by the visiting exhibit “Search for Our Roots: Artifacts from 19th Century Yema-po Work Camp at Lake Chabot”. “Search for Our Roots” showed results of Cal State Hayward excavations of the living and working areas of the Chinese men who built the reservoir for the East Bay municipal water supply. The archaeological discoveries were brought to life by well-researched, detailed reconstructions by Judi Burle’s third-grade class at San Leandro’s Jefferson Elementary School, whose project was made possible through a donation from Asian Americans Together.
A 1870s Oakland advertisement shows the location of the San Pablo Avenue Chinatown, along with some new proposed roads. Although this drawing was made at a time when the City officials were trying to eliminate the Chinatown, historical records affirm that its including a few dense rows of buildings along San Pablo Ave indicates at least some of the development early Chinese pioneers established north of town in the 1860s.
(drawing courtesy Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room)
Permanent Exhibit
Gallery Hours:
Monday through Friday 10am – 5pm
Saturdays 11am – 4pm
Free admission
Oakland Asian Cultural Center
388 Ninth Street, Suite. 290, Oakland, CA 94607
Telephone: (510) 637-0455
Directions: The Oakland Asian Cultural Center is on the second floor of the Pacific Renaissance Plaza, three blocks from the 12th Street City Center BART station. An inexpensive three level parking garage beneath the Plaza can be accessed from Franklin Street or Webster.
The Oakland Asian Cultural Center believes that culture and heritage play a critical role in building and maintaining vibrant and healthy communities. The Center showcases a wide range of cultural and artistic expression including dance, literature, music, and the visual arts. OACC serves as a resource for understanding the legacy of Asians and Pacific Islanders and their unique influences on the cultural identities and enrichment of our communities. The Oakland Asian Cultural Center’s commitment to quality programming and services is designed to promote our evolving cultures and ultimately build bridges of understanding among all communities.
For more information, log on to www.oacc.cc