Old Chinatown, 1890s / OrHi 8356

There have been several Chinese settlements in Portland.  In the 1850′s, Chinese immigrants first began occupying buildings in downtown waterfront area.  At the same period, a group of farmers established the Chinese Vegetable Garden west of downtown.  Chinese businesses also clustered near Alder Street and 2nd Street, the center of Old Chinatown.  Shops, laundries, restaurants, family associations and tong buildings, Chinese theaters made up one of the largest Chinatowns in North America by 1900.

As land south of Burnside became less affordable, the Chinese business community began leasing properties near NW Fourth Avenue and Everett Street, establishing the area as New Chinatown.  The neighborhood developed near Japanese, African American, Greek, and other settlements.  Today, the 10-block area is the only the remaining site of Portland’s historic Chinatowns.  Even as residents and businesses have dispersed to outlying suburbs, Chinatown continues to be an important part in the legacy of the Chinese community in Portland.

Since the mid-1980′s, the neighborhood has seen several major developments, including the Chinatown Gate (1986), Lan Su Chinese Garden (2000), streetscape improvements (2006), and ongoing renovations of historic buildings.

Additional Resources:
Chinese-American and Japanese-American History of Portland & Oregon
New Chinatown / Japantown Historic District
Oregon History Project – The Chinese Community
Chinese association buildings in Portland Chinatown
PDC: North Old Town/Chinatown Redevelopment Strategy (2008)
PDC: 3rd & 4th Avenue Streetscape Plan (2004-2005)
PDC: Old Town/Chinatown Vision and Development Plans (1997-2003)
PDC: Old Town/Chinatown Blocks 32/33 Redevelopment (2003)

Neighborhood Organizations:
Old Town Chinatown Neighborhood Association
Old Town Chinatown Business Association
Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center