Day 35 - Asiatown, Cleveland, Ohio
📌APIA Every Day (35) - Asiatown in Cleveland, Ohio, has a rich history and cultural diversity that reflects the immigration patterns of various Asian communities. The roots of Asiatown can be traced back to the 1860s when Chinese immigrants, initially drawn to the United States as railroad workers, settled in Cleveland to escape anti-Chinese sentiments on the West Coast. The first Chinatown in Cleveland emerged on West Third Street but later moved to its current location around Rockwell Avenue and E. 22nd Street due to urban renewal.
Over the years, Asiatown has witnessed a dynamic demographic shift, welcoming not only Chinese immigrants but also significant populations of Koreans and Vietnamese. The Korean influx in the 1960s and 1970s, driven by political instability in Korea, contributed to the area's growth. Similarly, the Vietnamese community, seeking refuge from the consequences of the Vietnam War, began relocating to Asiatown in the 1980s. By the early 1990s, the neighborhood had evolved into a more diverse enclave, prompting the community to rename it Asiatown, with its boundaries expanding eastward to East 40th Street.
Despite challenges and a decline in the original Chinatown in the 1970s, Asiatown experienced a revival in the late 20th century and early 21st century. The influx of new immigrants, the opening of Asia Plaza, and the establishment of Asian Town Center revitalized the area. The community's economic success and expansion into traditionally working-class neighborhoods have led to both positive and negative impacts, including some tensions related to gentrification. Nevertheless, Asiatown has become a vibrant cultural hub, showcasing its diversity through events like the Cleveland Asian Festival and Night Market, attracting visitors from within and outside the city. As of 2011, Asiatown is home to approximately 1,200 residents, making it a significant and growing ethnic neighborhood in Cleveland. Today, Asiatown stands as a thriving and dynamic cultural mosaic, with a diverse range of businesses, restaurants, and community organizations that continue to contribute to the neighborhood's unique identity, fostering a sense of unity among its residents and visitors alike.
LEARN MORE:
Encyclopedia of Cleveland History: Asiatown
Midstory: Asiatown’s Long History of Providing Community in Cleveland
Google Arts & Culture: Faces of Cleveland's Chinatown
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