History of Chinatown

Philadelphia’s Chinatown was founded in the 1870s by Chinese immigrants. It is the only Chinatown in Pennsylvania, and has grown to be the third largest Chinese settlement on the East Coast. This unique neighborhood includes businesses and residences owned by and serving Chinese Americans.

Some of the themes depicted in this visual history of the Chinese in America include:
-The hard work of early sojourners and laundry workers;
-A depiction of early immigrant life;
-Family life;
-The fight to save Chinatown;
-The redevelopment of Chinatown;
-Contemporary concerns about education

The large hands in the mural are symbolic of the community’s relationship with outside (that is, non-Chinese American/non-Chinatown resident) developers. The hands of the community are saying “NO, STOP” to further development of Chinatown.

The water in the mural is symbolic of the lifeblood of the community.

The mural was restored in 2017.