The Street Life of Chinatown, San Francisco from Between the 1960s and 1980s

San Francisco’s Chinatown is the oldest in North America and the most significant outside of Asia, centered around Grant Avenue and Stockton Street. Additionally, it is the oldest and largest of San Francisco’s four notable Chinese neighborhoods.

It has played a significant role in the history and culture of ethnic Chinese immigrants in North America since its establishment in 1848. Chinatown maintains its unique culture, language, places of worship, social clubs, and identity. The city has two hospitals, several parks and squares, numerous churches, a post office, and other infrastructure. Chinatown is often a choice for recent immigrants, especially the elderly, who can find affordable housing and are familiar with the culture. A significant tourist attraction in San Francisco, Chinatown attracts more visitors each year than the Golden Gate Bridge.

Dave Glass took these fascinating photos of the streets of Chinatown between 1969 and 1980.

#1 Chinese Times Publishing Co., 117 Waverly, San Francisco, 1969

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#2 Chinese Times Publishing Co., 117 Waverly, San Francisco, 1969

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#3 Dupont Market, Grant and Pacific, San Francisco, 1969

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#4 Dupont Market, Grant and Pacific, San Francisco, 1969

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#5 Hang Ah alley, Chinatown, San Francisco, 1969

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#6 Jackson between Grant and Stockton, Chinatown, San Francisco, 1969

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#7 Street sweeper’s cart, Kearny and Jackson, Chinatown, San Francisco, 1969

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#8 Tai Yuen Co., 740 Jackson Street, Chinatown, San Francisco, 1969

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#9 DuPont Fish Mart, Grant and Pacific, Chinatown, San Francisco, 1970

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#10 DuPont Market, Grant and Pacific, Chinatown, San Francisco, 1970

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#11 DuPont Market, Grant and Pacific, Chinatown, San Francisco, 1970

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#12 Grant Street grocery, Chinatown/North Beach, San Francisco, 1970

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#13 Students of Central Chinese High School, founded 1888, Chinatown, San Francisco, 1970

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#14 Sidewalk scene, Jackson Street between Stockton and Grant, Chinatown, San Francisco, 1972

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#15 International Hotel, also known as the I-Hotel, Corner of Kearny and Jackson, Chinatown, San Francisco, 1978

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#16 Silverwing Cafe on Kearny Street, old International Hotel can be seen in the window reflection, 855 Kearny Street, San Francisco, 1978

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#17 New Lun Ting Cafe, Jackson Street, Chinatown, San Francisco, 1980

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#18 Chinatown community leaders, Waverly Street, San Francisco, 1982

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#19 Lion dancers on Waverly Street, Chinatown, San Francisco, 1982

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#20 San Francisco Marathon, Grant and Pacific, Chinatown, San Francisco, 1982

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#21 San Francisco Marathon, Grant and Pacific, Chinatown, San Francisco, 1982

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#22 Waverley between Washington and Clay, Chinatown, San Francisco, 1982

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#23 1952 Chrysler Imperial with door dent, Clay Street, Chinatown, San Francisco, 1987

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#24 Waverley Street, Chinatown, San Francisco, 1988

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#25 1952 Chrysler Crown Imperial at Columbus and Washington, San Francisco, 1988

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#26 Media and press corps covering Michael Dukakis presidential election bid during a visit to the Bay Area, Sacramento Street, Nob Hill / Chinatown, San Francisco, 1988

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#27 Sam Wo restaurant, 813 Washington Street, Chinatown, San Francisco, 1988

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#28 Washington Street between Kearny and Grant, San Francisco, 1988

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#29 Washington Street, Chinatown, San Francisco, 1988

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