Day 57: Chinatown, St. Louis, Missouri
📌APIA Every Day (57) - Chinatown, formerly situated in Downtown St. Louis, Missouri, thrived from 1869 until its demolition for the Busch Memorial Stadium in 1966. The town was bordered by Seventh, Tenth, Walnut, and Chestnut streets. In 1857, Chinese immigrant Alla Lee arrived in St. Louis, initially the sole Chinese immigrant residing in the area until 1869, when approximately 250 Chinese men sought factory work. Subsequent waves of Chinese immigrants arrived in the following years, as evidenced by a group of Chinese men and women in January 1977. By 1900, the immigrant population had grown to 400, with Chinese settlers establishing hand laundries, groceries, restaurants, tea shops and barber shops. Between 1958 and the mid-1960s, Chinatown was condemned and demolished for urban renewal, making way for Busch Memorial Stadium.
The St. Louis Chinatown was succeeded by the unofficial Olive Boulevard Chinatown in University City. Although not officially designated as such due to objections from community members, Chinese businesses and grocery stores line Olive Boulevard between I-70 and Skinker Boulevard. Despite its modest size, this growing area led to the formation of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Greater St. Louis.
Limited information exists about both the old and new Chinatown. Nevertheless, reflecting on these unofficial Chinatowns underscores that areas impacted by urban renewal and gentrification were once vibrant enclaves for Chinese immigrants.
LEARN MORE:
KSDK: Chinese Heritage is Alive and Well in St. Louis
St. Louis Magazine: St. Louis’ Chinatown Thrives
St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Take a Look at the Last Days of St. Louis' Chinatown
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