NEW CHINATOWN

Chinese Americans became architects of their own destiny in 1938, when they designed and built a "New Chinatown," along North Broadway in Los Angeles. Owned and operated exclusively by Chinese Americans, New Chinatown was quite different from Old Chinatown in many ways. Design elements featured traditional Chinese architecture, stylized to appeal to American travelers passing through Union Station. In 1943, repeal of the exclusionary laws meant that Chinese Americans could finally participate fully in American society. Chinese Americans were consumed by World War II, like the rest of the nation during the 1940s. New Chinatown became the center of the "home front" for the Chinese Community in Los Angeles.
Soochow Restaurant at Night 

Courtesy of Leslee See Leong

Peter Soo Hoo Made New Chinatown a Reality
Peter Soo Hoo, President of the Chinese American Association, negotiated with Herbert Lapham of the Santa Fe Railway Company to purchase land and build New Chinatown. Soo Hoo formed a corporation with twenty-eight men and women, each contributing $500 per share. One of Southern California's first pedestrian malls, New Chinatown's brightly colored buildings and tiled pagoda roofs attracted tourists, shoppers and diners. The eighteen stores and bean cake factory also served the social and economic needs of the community.

The clean, contemporary appearance of New Chinatown did much to raise the status of Chinese Americans in Los Angeles. Inscribed "Cooperate to Achieve," New Chinatown's west gate was constructed as a tribute to Chinese laborers who built the railroads of California. Y.C. Hong erected the east gate in honor of his mother and the self-sacrifices of motherhood.

Enlistment and Marriage
As the mixed-race daughter of Fong See and Letticie Pruett, Florence See experienced discrimination, both in Chinatown and from the outside community. After Pearl Harbor, and eight years of courtship, Gilbert Leong enlisted in the Army and finally proposed to Florence. Gilbert's mother was the revered teacher of Chinese-language and the keeper of traditions. His father was president of the Kong Chow Family Association. They held considerable moral authority in the community and it was difficult for them to approve of the marriage. In time however, the Leong's grew to love Florence for her ability to balance Chinese traditions with American culture. The marriage of Florence See and Gilbert Leong symbolizes the changes occurring in Chinatown during the 1940s.

Ties to Home: The Chinese-Language School
Chinese-language schools were often affiliated with religious missions seeking to reach new converts. Children could attend the schools as long as they also attended religious services and Sunday school. Mrs. Leong was one of the prominent teachers in the Los Angeles Chinatown. She taught children to read and write Chinese so they could communicate with the older generations, write letters to their grandparents in China and get along when they returned to China. Students started by writing simple characters with only a few strokes, such as sun and moon, and then moved on to more difficult characters. Children attended the Chinese-language schools every afternoon from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. and on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Student Readers and Workbooks used in
Los Angeles Chinatown, 1910-1950.

Courtesy of Leslee Leong

Kids at chalkboard
Chinese Language School. Chinese requires the student to write characters over and over again until they become ingrained. Students start with simple characters with a few strokes such as sun and moon, then eventually learn characters with ten or more strokes. They also memorize and recite poems verbatim.

Courtesy of Photo Collection, Los Angeles Public Library.

The Japanese Invasion Galvanized Chinatown
After conquering Manchuria in 1931, Japan mounted periodic raids into China. In July 1937 they staged massive attack, seizing nearly all Chinese coastal cities and industrial areas. By October 1938, the Japanese Army controlled all of China's eastern provinces from Manchuria to Guangdong. Mao Tse-tung and Chiang Kai-shek temporarily put aside their differences to fight the Japanese. Reports of the "Rape of Nanking" galvanized Chinese American communities in the United States. The Sino-Japanese War cut off Chinese Americans from their relatives in China, causing them to become politicized as they never had before.

Japanese Invasion. Horrors of War cards.

Courtesy of Montgomery Hom

Finally, the Repeal of Chinese Exclusion Laws in 1943
With China as an ally during World War II, the Chinese Exclusion Acts became an increasing embarrassment for the United States. On December 17, 1943, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Magnuson Act, repealing all laws dealing with Chinese exclusion. Although the new law assigned only a token annual immigration quota of 105 Chinese, Chinese immigrants gained the right to become naturalized citizens. Yet, few new Chinese immigrants were accepted into the United States or naturalized during the first ten years after repeal.

War Relief for China
Horrified at reports coming out of China about starvation, orphaned children, and the rape of women, Chinese American women helped raise money to defend China and alleviate the suffering of its people. They encouraged all women to wear cotton stockings instead of Japanese silk. They raised money for food and medical supplies by organizing bazaars, fashion shows and theatrical productions. Chinese Americans raised funds for war bonds, the New Life Movement, Rice Bowl Campaign and Seven-Seven Campaign. More money was raised to support war relief in Los Angeles than in any other Chinese American community.

Moon Festival at Hop Sing Benevolent Association.

Courtesy of Lisa See.

The Home Front in Chinatown
The Sino-Japanese War energized the Chinese American community. After Pearl Harbor, new opportunities opened up as non-Chinese workers shipped out. Chinese Americans now found work in craft industries, as well as professional and technical occupations. Concerned about being confused with Japanese Americans who were being forcibly interned in desert camps, the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association printed up insignias, registration certificates, pins and armbands promoting Chinese-American allegiance. A 1939 Chinatown survey showed that (Chinese American) teenagers were increasingly enamored with popular culture. On the radio, they listened to Jack Benny, Eddie Cantor, George Burns, Gracie Allen and Al Jolsen. The girls adored Bing Crosby, while the boys preferred the Hit Parade Orchestra.

AWVS Ran Canteens for Servicemen in Chinatown
In November 1942, the AWVS Chinese Center, sponsored by the New York-based American Women's Voluntary Service, opened a servicemen's canteen on Spring Street, off Sunset Boulevard. In September 1944, the canteen relocated to the Leong family's Soochow Restaurant in New Chinatown. Serving 1,500 military personnel each month, 105 women kept the canteen open, making it the "best place next to home," and the "first real friendly" canteen. The Soochow Canteen also became the headquarters of a Chinese Air Force detachment stationed in Santa Ana. Giving their time and energy, AWVS women proved themselves important assets, not only in Chinatown, but also to the greater City of Los Angeles.

American Woman Volunteer Service.

Courtesy of Photo Collection, Los Angeles Public Library.
California Korean and Chinese Reserves at the Presentation of Colors and State License.

Courtesy of Photo Collection, Los Angeles Public Library.


The See Family During World War II
The war also affected the See family. Since waterways remained virtually closed for the duration, little merchandise crossed the Pacific for the store and business dwindled. Because his employees were leaving to work in defense industries, Eddy closed Dragon's Den in 1943. See Manufacturing was converted for the war effort, making map holders for fuselages and airplane wings, and allowing Ray, Bennie and Eddy to receive deferments. Shortly after Florence See and Gilbert Leong married, Ticie See died on January 4, 1943. Soon the family partnership disintegrated.