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Oakland Chinatown is now a pan- Asian Neighborhood which reflects Oakland's diverse Asian American and Pacific Islander community of Chinese , Vietnamese , Korean , Filipino , Japanese , Cambodian , Laotian , Mien , Thai , Samoan and others. Many Asian Languages and Dialect s can be heard in Chinatown including Cantonese , Chiu-Chow , Ilocano , Japanese , Khmer , Khmu , Korean , Lao , Malay , Mandarin , Mien , Tagalog , Taiwanese , Thai , Toishan , and Vietnamese . Chinese were the first Asians to arrive in Oakland in the 1850s, followed by Japanese in the 1890s, Koreans in the 1900s, and Filipinos in the 1930s-1940s. Southeast Asian s began arriving in the 1970s. HISTORY Oakland Chinatown dates back to the arrival of Chinese Immigrants in the 1850s, making it one of the oldest Chinatowns In North America . By 1860, the census of Oakland included 96 "Asiatics" among a total of 1,543. More Chinese arrived to help build the Central Pacific Railroad western portion of the First Transcontinental Railroad during the 1860s. The Chinese settled in shrimp camps on the Estuary of Oakland at 1st Street and Castro in the 1850s, near the Point in West Oakland which was referred to as "Chinese Point", and at 4th and Clay Streets. The Chinese settlement at Telegraph between 16th and 17th Streets burnt down in 1867 and was relocated at the San Pablo Avenue Chinatown between 19th and 20th Streets; it is now known as Oakland's Old Uptown Chinatown . Other areas settled were 14th Street between Washington and Clay, and the Charter line (22nd Street) between Castro and Brush Streets. Fears of the Yellow Peril and local exclusion laws forced the Chinese to resettled to its current location centered at 8th Street and Webster Street in the 1870s. The first Chinese in Oakland fished in the . In 1868, Chinese laborers built the Temescal Dam in Oakland providing water for the East Bay as well as the Lake Chabot Dam in 1874-75. They worked in canneries, cotton mills and fuse and explosive factories as well as farms. In the 1880s, discriminatory laws made it difficult for Chinese immigrants to own land or even find work. They found work as Laundry workers, Cook s, Gardener s, Houseboy s, or as Vegetable Peddler s. The Chinese Exclusion Act severely limited the furthur immigration of Chinese. By 1900, the Chinese in Oakland numbered less than 1,000. The 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and fire destroyed most of San Francisco's Chinatown and more than 4000 Chinese survivors found refuge in Oakland. Even while San Francisco Chinatown was rebuilding, many stayed in Oakland bringing the Chinatown population to about 2,500. Because of immigration restrictions barring Chinese women and children, a Bachelor society was created. In the 1920s, Oakland Chinatown grew from 10th Street to the waterfront from Broadway to Harrison. Even until 1940, the Chinatown population grew only to about 3,000. With the United States involvement in World War II and the fact that China was an ally, the Chinese Exclusion Act was repealed in 1943 but still had a quota of 105 persons a year. In 1950, Chinatown grew to a population of 5,500, but local housing was lost due to the construction of Interstate 880 which runs through 8 blocks between 5th and 6th Streets, Laney College (8 blocks) and later in the late 1960s, the Bay Area Rapid Transit headquarters and Lake Merritt Station (2 blocks) and Oakland Museum Of California (4 blocks). Oakland Chinatown was economically stagnant for many years, especially after multigenerational Chinatown residents began heading to the suburbs in the late 1960s. However, the Chinatown saw much development during the 1980s and 1990s after an exodus of Chinese American merchants—who were already experiencing stiff and ever-growing competition and rising costs of rent in the San Francisco area—across the Bay Bridge and increased immigration from mainland China, Hong Kong , Vietnam , Cambodia , and Thailand . Many ethnic Chinese Vietnamese and Chinese Cambodian s began opening new small businesses, essentially replacing many of the older Taishanese-dominated businesses. Also, with investment coming from Hong Kong in the 1980s, new modern shopping centers were built. It still retains the traditional aspects and characteristics of an older Chinatown. Oakland's Chinatown includes a historic and still thriving fortune cookie factory. Although it is overshadowed by its well-known counterpart in San Francisco and also suffering from a high crime rate, the Chinatown area is bustling with activity. Other Asian cultures are represented in Oakland's Chinatown as it has also been settled by non-Chinese Asians such as ethnic Vietnamese (many of whom operate many of Chinatown's Jewelry businesses), Koreans, and Thais making it more of a pan-Asian area as opposed to a "Chinatown". The biggest thing is that the Chinatown makes tax revenue for the city of Oakland. Note: references for future edits
The Japanese arrived in Oakland in the 1890s mostly in .
GOVERNMENT Oakland Chinatown is in:
Police and fire Oakland Fire Department , Engine Company No. 12 is located at 822 Alice Street at 9th Street. Fire Engine 2552 is assigned to this Fire Station . The latest firefighter to die in the line of duty was from Engine Company No. 12. Hoseman Tracy Toomey died January 10, 1999 in a 2 story building collapse after responding to a 6 alarm fire on upper Broadway. [http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face9903.html] Chinatown is in Oakland Police Department's Beat 3X . The Community Services Section hosts the Asian Advisory Committee on Crime and the Asian Youth Services Committee . Chinatown office at 388 9th Street, #259 The Chinatown Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council meets monthly conducted in Cantonese. news Crime ''Note: references for future edits''
INFRASTRUCTURE Housing Transportation Oakland is served by several AC Transit bus lines which go on 7th, 8th, 11th, 12th, Broadway, and Franklin Streets . The neighborhood has two BART stations: 12th Street Station on its northwest corner, and Lake Merritt Station at its eastern edge. Interstate 880 and Interstate 980 are nearby. Located at the crossroads of the 880 freeway, the system in Alameda County to Oakland Chinatown to prevent further pedestrian fatalities and injuries. [http://repositories.cdlib.org/its/tsc/UCB-TSC-RR-2003-06/ Health Both conventional Western Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine with Acupuncture and Herbology are found in Chinatown. Asian Health Services is a community health center ( Federally Qualified Health Center ) serving the local immigrant community. Its staff is bilingual or multilingual in nine different languages: English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Korean, Tagalog, Cambodian, Lao, and Mien. Asian Community Mental Health Services The core competencies of its staff reflect a wide spectrum of age groups, immigrant/refugee cultural status and language fluency in 13 Asian & Pacific Islander (A&PI) languages/dialects: Cambodian, Cantonese, Japanese, Khmu, Korean, Lao, Mandarin, Malay, Mien, Tagalog, Thai, Toishan, and Vietnamese. Asian Pacific Psychological Services . A community-based mental health agency that provides linguistically and culturally competent mental health services to the Asian Pacific community, particularly immigrant and refugee families. The APPS Family Violence Management and Prevention Program focuses on the following components: prevention and education (through counseling and education for children and youth); and services for survivors (crisis intervention, individual and family therapy, medication treatment, case management). (Languages: Cantonese, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Mien, Tagalog and Vietnamese.) Asian Outreach Program Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Chinese American Physicians' Society (CAPS) Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences - Master of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The teaching clinic is a clinical program of Traditional Chinese Medicine that is open to the public, provides high quality care at low cost, and offers a complete alternative medicine service to the community. Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center - A Community Center for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Services in 20 languages including: Chinese, Hawaiian, Hindi, Ilokano, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Lao, Malay, Tagalog, Thai, Vietnamese and Visayan. website Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO) is a national association representing community health organizations dedicated to promoting advocacy, collaboration and leadership that improves the health status and access of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders within the United States. website Social services Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum is a national advocacy organization dedicated to promoting policy, program, and research efforts to improve the health and well-being of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Family Bridges , formerly Oakland Chinese Community Council Wa Sung Community Service Club and Wa Sung Charity Fund . Funds for community services are derived from fund raising projects including the annual Easter Pancake Breakfast, the East Bay Community Directory, ''A Chef's Delight'' (food & wine event), and from direct donations. Salvation Army Chinatown Corps Community Center, 380 - 11th Street, Older Adult Services, Worship Center, and Youth Services. Adult Rehabilitation Center, 601 Webster Street. Korean Corps Community Center, 1601 6th Avenue. Older Adult Services and Worship Center. Thrift Store, 601 Webster Street. International Institute of the East Bay - Provides essential social and legal services to immigrant and refugee communities in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, and resources and referral services for immigrant battered women. Shimtuh - Korean Community Center of the East Bay - Shimtuh’s helpline provides the Korean American community with referrals for shelter, legal help, and professional counseling, assistance with social service benefits. (Language: Korean) Education Lincoln Elementary School (K-5) is the local public "American school" and governed by the Oakland Unified School District . photo/history The Mun Fu Yuen " Chinese School " has after school classes in Cantonese Chinese language and culture at the Oakland Chinese Community Center on 9th Street at Harrison. Lighthouse Community Charter School , 345 12th Street. Started 2004 - 2005 with grades K-2 and 6-8. LCCS intends to enroll two new grade levels each year until they serve grades K – 12 school in 2008 – 2009. Laney College is a Community College located at the south end of Chinatown. Course offerings include Asian and Asian-American Studies , Chinese language, Japanese language, and Chinese Opera (Music Department). Oakland Unified School District Adult Schools
Cal State East Bay has the Oakland Professional Development and Conference Center at Broadway and 11th Street. Continuing Education courses includes a certificate program in " Teaching Chinese as a Heritage or Other Language ". Media
References GEOGRAPHY Oakland Chinatown (8th and Webster Streets) is located at 37°47'57" North, 122°16'17" West (37.799252, -122.27145). Elevation is about 34 feet above sea level. Chinatown is located in Downtown between Broadway to the west, Interstate 880 to the south, Oak Street and Laney College to the east, and 12th Street to the north. Unlike many Chinatowns, it has no formal Arch ( Paifang ) or Gate , but it does have Bilingual Street Sign s. The neighborhood can be roughly divided into two distinct areas: Between Broadway and Harrison Street is the Commercial area, with busy streets lined with markets, restaurants, banks, and other businesses. Several new buildings have been built in the last few years. East of Harrison Street, the neighborhood is primarily residential, with little pedestrian activity and only a handful of stores. Recent immigrants have also moved south into "New Oakland Chinatown" in the San Antonio neighborhood along International Blvd (formerly East 14th Street) and Eastlake business district on East 18th Street. Landmarks and architecture National Register Of Historic Places -
: postcards postcard facts photos National Landmarks in Alameda County Sequenced By City and Address Parks, gardens, and other recreational sites Lincoln Square Recreation Center City of Oakland Office of Parks and Recreation. : [http://www.insidebayarea.com/searchresults/ci_2741797 photos Lincoln Square has a Junk Boat play structure built in 1969. Oakland Chinatown Chinese Garden at Harrison Railroad Park, 275 Seventh Street. photos Madison Square and Lake Merritt BART Station park, Madison at 8th Street - site of early morning Tai Chi Chuan and other exercise programs. photos ECONOMY OaklandNet/Opportunities: Development Opportunities: Retail: Downtown: Chinatown background information about business in Chinatown Oakland Chinatown Chamber Of Commerce , 388 9th Street Suite 258 Korean Chamber of Commerce Oakland Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce, 412 8th Street, #D East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC) is a community economic development organization dedicated to the betterment of the East Bay community, particularly the low-income and Asian and Pacific Islander population, through development of physical, human and economic assets for individuals and community organizations. In 2001 there were approximately ninety garment-factories (sometimes referred to as sewing Sweatshop s) in Oakland, many in or near Chinatown. By 2004, many have closed with the work being done overseas. : Sweatshop Activists Follow the Money New legislation attempts to make garment manufacturers responsible for workers' pay. PEOPLE AND CULTURE Demographics See Chinatown Community Information Book 2001 , Alameda County Public Health Department. : US Census facts Community centers and organizations Chinese American Citizens Alliance Oakland Chinese Community Center Asian Immigrant Women Advocates (AIWA) Works primarily with low income Asian immigrant women employed as seamstresses, hotel room cleaners, nursing home aides, and electronics assemblers in the Bay Area and Santa Clara county. Seeks to empower women by helping them to exercise their rights and develop the skills necessary to advocate for justice and dignity in their lives and workplaces. Filipinos for Affirmative Action Asian Pacific Environmental Network seeks to empower low-income Asian Pacific Islander (API) communities to achieve environmental and social justice. Oakland Consolidated Chinese Associations, an umbrella group for twelve family associations: Bing Kong Tong Association, Zhong Shan Doo Tao Association, Chung Shan Family Association, Gee How Oak Tin Association , Toi Shan Benevolent Association, Lee Family Benevolent Association , Loong Kong Tien Yee Association , Soo Yuen Benevolent Association , Tai Land Lim's Family Association, Toishan Association, Wong Family Association, Wu Yi Friendship Association Vietnamese American Cultural & Educational Association of the Bay Area Korean Community Center of the East Bay Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach (formerly Nihonmachi Legal Outreach), is a non-profit law firm that focuses on family law; immigration; and domestic violence, particularly elder abuse. It has a domestic violence prevention program for API youth. Serves the Greater Bay Area with offices in San Francisco and Oakland in more than a dozen languages and dialects including Cantonese, Chiu-Chow , Hindi , Ilocano , Japanese , Korean , Lao , Mandarin , Spanish , Tagalog , Taiwanese , Urdu , and Vietnamese . website
Annual cultural events and fairs Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year or Vietnamese Têt The Great Wall Youth Orchestra and Chorus - traditional Chinese instruments performing Chinese and adapted Western music. Annual Benefit Concert in May. website Dragon Boat Race The 8th Annual California International Dragon Boat Festival, "Return of the Dragon" will return on August 13-14, 2005 at Jack London Square in Oakland. International Dragon Boat Association The Oakland Chinatown StreetFest occurs on the 4th weekend of August annually since 1988. Mid-Autumn Festival or Moon Festival or Vietnamese Tết Trung Thu Performing arts Oakland Asian Cultural Center : Asia Pacific Cultural Quagmire eastbayexpress.com February 6, 2002 The Purple Silk Music Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to support ongoing Chinese music programs in Oakland. . Beijing Opera , and Kunqu . Museum and art The Asian Resources Gallery is located in the hallway of the Asian Resources Center at 308 8th Street. The Oakland Asian Cultural Center at 388 9th Street, Ste 290, includes a Permanent Exhibit of Oakland's 19th Century San Pablo Avenue Chinatown. Current Exhibit is Costumes of Kathak: The Classical Dance of North India from May to November 2005. Monday through Friday 10am -5pm, Saturdays 11am - 4pm. The Oakland Museum Of California is located at 10th & Oak Streets at the south portion of Chinatown. Flo Oy Wong - Gallery - Drawings - Oakland Chinatown Series 1983- 1991 Libraries The Asian Branch Library is one of Oakland Public Library's busiest branch. The Asian Library is unique among public library branches in the United States as it houses eight Asian languages (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Cambodian, Tagalog and Laotian) in major reference titles and general subject titles, an Asian Studies collection and an in-depth Asian American collection in English. The Asian Branch Library was founded in 1975 as part of a Federal Library Services Construction Act grant to create a model library serving the Asian community in Oakland with multilingual staff and collections. In 1978, the branch moved from its original location at the Park Boulevard to the Main Library. In 1981, it moved to its own building at 9th street and Broadway. The current location in the Pacific Renaissance Plaza opened to the public in 1995. Friends of Asian Library Year of the Monkey 2004 Sports Notable natives and residents Chinatown Pioneers Hall of Pioneers Gallery, Oakland Chinatown Chinese Garden, 275 Seventh St., Oakland. Open Monday - Friday 10 am to 4 pm, no charge. Exhibit of "local individuals who helped to establish Oakland's Chinatown or who made major contributions to the Chinese people in America"; selected by the Oakland Chinese History Research Committee.
Other Asian-American Oaklanders who grew up in or influenced Oakland Chinatown
Note: Chinese Family Name is first when the name is all Chinese REFERENCES
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