rss feedMarking a century in Seattle’s International District with a book party at the Wing Luke
Seattle author Doug Chin maintains that the transcontinental railroad was possibly the most important development in Washington state’s history.
He notes that Chinese laborers – about 15,000 of them – were the largest group to contribute to it.
Chin will talk about this chapter in the state’s history on Thursday, Sept. 3 at a Wing Luke Asian Museum reception. It will celebrate the second edition of Chin’s book, Seattle’s International District: The Making of a Pan-Asian American Community.
The release coincides with 100 years of history in Seattle’s Chinatown International District. The 5:30 p.m. event will be held at the museum at 719 S. King St.
The International Examiner is publishing the new edition. “It felt like the right time to (publish) a second edition,” he told the community newspaper.
The book’s first edition, which is sold out, arrived on the market about a decade ago.
The newspaper reported on its Web site that Jackson Street was once on a steep hill more than 100 years ago. But in 1909, the city of Seattle had finished a regrade.
The hill was substantially reduced to provide better access to the city center from south Seattle and, just as important, opened up new land for development. Early Asian immigrants, particularly the Chinese, quickly took advantage of the opportunity to construct new buildings or acquire property in the area. The newly (regraded) area was adjacent to a growing Japanese settlement centered on Main Street, and thus a new and expanded Asian American district had begun.
The book chronicles challenges faced by community activists to preserve the district, life in the 1920s, the arrival of Filipino immigrants, union organizing and the internment of Japanese Americans.
The second edition gives readers a district update, looking at the past 10 years.
The book can be purchased at The Wing Luke Asian Museum store for $20. It is also available at the International Examiner’s office and Kinokuniya Bookstore at 525 S. Weller St. in Seattle.
The district has been home to many Asian Americans, including community activist Bob Santos, author of Hum Bows, not Hot Dogs!
He supports affordable housing and advocates district preservation.
Political trailblazer Ruby Chow, who served on the King County Council, also frequented the area. She preferred the name Chinatown. Bruce Lee, who once worked at Chow’s restaurant, opened his first martial arts studio in the district.
Benjamin Woo was another community member who worked to preserve district services and improve its affordable housing infrastructure.
Ron Chew, the former Wing Luke Asian Museum executive director, is another longtime district supporter.
Its stores, including Uwajimaya and the now closed Yick Fung Co., and factories also have made their mark.
Rhode Island School of Design President John Maeda also grew up in the district – in his family’s tofu shop.
Note: As I was driving my car, I realized there are a score of people who make or have made Seattle’s Chinatown International District what it is today.
This list is long and my apologies if I’ve left names out:
- Seattle-area Asian Americans who have pitched in with community causes
- Wing Luke, former Seattle City Councilman
- He also was the first Asian American elected official in Pacific Northwest
- Beth Takekawa of The Wing Luke Asian Museum
- Tomio Moriguchi and his family of Uwajimaya
- Diane Narasaki of Asian Counseling and Referral Service
- (The group has moved to South Seattle)
- Assunta Ng of the Northwest Asian Weekly and Seattle Chinese Post
- Diem Ly, Gary Iwamoto, Alan Lau of the International Examiner
- Sue Taoka, former executive director of the Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Association
- Donnie Chin of the International District Emergency Center
- Dennis Su, who helps organize the Seafair Chinatown parade
- Alaric Bien, executive director of CISC
- Bettie Luke
- Ruth and Robert Chinn
- Greater Seattle Chinese Chamber of Commerce
- InterIm Community Development Association
- Jerry Lee of MulvannyG2 Architecture
- Ruth Woo
- State Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos
- Cheryl Chow
- Tuck Eng
- Betty Lau
Like I said: Lots of people and groups.
