San Francisco Chinatown: A Guide to Its History & Architecture
| Company type | Publisher |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Headquarters | San Francisco , United States |
| Products | Books |
San Francisco Chinatown: A Guide to Its History & Architecture is a work authored by Philip Choy, initially released in 2012.[1]
Publication history
Issued in San Francisco, the book was made available in softcover format through City Lights. The architectural images featured were captured during the 1980s by Brian Choy as part of a report supporting Chinatown’s designation as a historic district.[2]: 12
A previous, condensed edition appeared as a pamphlet published by the Chinese Historical Society of America.[3]
Content summary
- Historical Context – Chinatown is situated atop sites significant to various eras in San Francisco’s past, including the Spanish and Mexican periods.[2]: 22–60
- Portsmouth Plaza – serves as the cultural and communal center for the Chinese immigrant population.[2]: 61–82
- Sacramento Street – has been continuously inhabited by the Chinese community since the Gold Rush era.[2]: 83–106
- Grant Avenue – recognized as the city’s oldest street, it was rezoned in the 1980s into a primary retail corridor that showcases the commercial practices of more recent immigrants.[2]: 107–155
- Stockton Street – functions as the principal shopping area catering to local residents.[2]: 156–197
- Ross and Spofford Alleys and Waverly Place[2]: 198–212
- Ross Alley – home to Chinatown’s sole fortune cookie manufacturer: Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Company
- Spofford Alley – historically known for its Hispanic patronage involving gambling, prostitution, and opium.
- Waverly Place – features a dense collection of buildings representing various traditional Chinese institutions.
- Walking Tours[2]: 213–221
Biographical sketches
Philip P. Choy was born in San Francisco in 1926. His father was a paper son who entered the United States by assuming the identity of a legal resident, while his mother, originally born in America, returned to China following the 1906 earthquake. During World War II, he served in the Army and later utilized the GI Bill to pursue higher education, ultimately earning a degree in architecture.
Brian W. Choy, the photographer featured in the book, is Philip Choy’s son and was born in 1955. The images included were captured over several months during early mornings to minimize interference from typical pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
Reception
The guidebook has been well-received, garnering acclaim for both its craftsmanship and its role in recognizing San Francisco’s Chinatown. Jonah Raskin of the San Francisco Chronicle noted that Choy’s work "guides both the curious and the unfamiliar through key attractions and significant landmarks, unlocking a vibrant historical narrative." Similarly, The Sacramento Bee praised it as "a beautifully illustrated publication that honors the rich history and architectural heritage of this unique community."
References
- ↑ Gurney, Jillian (2014). "San Francisco Chinatown". American Road. 12 (1): 102–103. ISSN 1542-4316.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Choy, Philip P. (2012). San Francisco Chinatown: A Guide to Its History & Architecture. San Francisco: City Lights. ISBN 978-0-87286-540-2. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
- ↑ Choy, Philip P. (2011). The Architecture of San Francisco Chinatown. San Francisco: Chinese Historical Society of America. Retrieved 5 March 2018.