This page was created by Aseem Aggarwal. The last update was by Curtis Fletcher.
Time Machine
Janis: If I had a time machine to explore the architecture of old Chinatown, I’d travel to 1900 in the heyday of the Garnier building. I’d walk through the markets on the first floor and visit the lawyers and businessmen on the top floor. I’d ask them about their struggles in advocating for their community and about how they went about creating political representation for the Chinese in Los Angeles from scratch.
Aseem: If I had a time machine to explore the architecture of Chinatown, I’d travel to 1857, as I walked through Chinatown, I’d interview the first Chinese who was recorded to be in Los Angeles and show them a picture of the new Chinatown to ask them if that is the Chinatown of their vision. And I would make sure to visit their place of work to see the struggle they go through in order to achieve their dream.
Jamie: If I had a time machine to explore the restaurants of Chinatown , I’d travel to 1940 and, as I walked through Chinatown, I’d interview people to ask them what their favorite restaurant was, and what their favorite dish to order. I would make sure to visit the Golden Pagoda for dinner when the facade was lit up in neon and order the Chicken Chop Suey.