San Francisco's Chinatown is the one of the largest Chinese communities outside of China itself, and one of the very first of its kind established in North America. During the mid-19th Century, economic and political hardships in China drove many to seek opportunities elsewhere. Chinese immigrants flocked to California, first to participate in the lucrative Gold Rush and later the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad. Upon arriving in San Francisco, many immigrants settled together near the port, bringing with them their culture, architecture, and even laws.

As the community grew, mounting racial tensions with the city's non-Asian citizens forced Chinatown's residents to insulate themselves further, relying on local community organizations such as the Chinese Six Companies to negotiate with city, state, and even federal officials and oversee the governance of the community.

Even after congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882, which significantly decreased the number of new immigrants to San Francisco, the existing community continued to flourish. This continued until the 1906 earthquake devastated many of the community's buildings. Suddenly, San Francisco leaders saw an opportunity to move the Chinese population away from the valuable land. Bonding together, the community's leaders and residents resisted these attempts and the city rose from the ashes. In the process, the area established the architectural and aesthetic styles that became instantly identifiable with western visitors. Throughout the 20th century, the area increased its national and global identity through portrayals in popular books, television, and movies.

Today, Chinatown remains a thriving ethnic and cultural community and is one of San Francisco's most important districts.

Podcast Written and Narrated by Jennifer Oelschlager, Public History Student at the University of West Florida.