There are a number of different Chinatowns in California these days. The one in San Francisco is probably the best known, as it’s fairly large and still thriving, very popular with tourists. In contrast, San Luis Obisbo’s Chinatown has very nearly disappeared, with only one original building remaining — Ah Louis store, first built in 1874. One of the main reasons for its demise centered on the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which barred most new arrivals in the U.S., especially women — thus preventing the male Chinese laborers from starting families and establishing a stable community life. These immigrant men worked extremely hard to help create infrastructure in the Western United States — wharves, warehouses, and of course railroads. Yet they were distrusted and actively discriminated against, very often with violence. They were largely restricted to living in circumscribed areas; they were not allowed to become citizens, nor were they allowed to marry anyone except other Chinese. This episode of California’s Gold originally aired back in 1998, and Huell was fortunate to be able to chat with Howard Louis, one of the sons of Ah Louis. Howard died in 2008, after his 100th birthday.

At one time it was a thriving community within a community on our state’s central coast. Several hundred people who had traveled from a far away land in search of opportunities in this new state called California. They worked on ranches and farms and built the railroads. They ran small shops and stores and raised families. And then gradually over the years they disappeared, but thanks to historians, archeologists and members of the Chinese community, the history and accomplishments of these early Chinese pioneers are being uncovered — literally.

In this episode, Huell travels to San Luis Obispo. There he meets Howard Louis, son of the legendary Ah Louis who ran the main store in Chinatown. Howard is full of stories and gives Huell a tour of the store which is the only Chinatown structure left standing. Huell also is treated to a Lion dance outside the store put on by the Chinese students from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and listens as a musician plays the music those early Chinese settlers would have played in the 1800’s. The day also includes a visit to the local historical museum for a look at 100 year old glass plate images made of the Chinese residents at the time. Then we watch as volunteers sift through tons of earth taken from the original Chinatown location and discover wonderful bits and pieces of the life that went on there.

(Click on the linked image below to see the video.)