DETROIT CHINATOWN
An Historical Research Project: Works in Progress.
Articles
Latest news on various events, including business, finance, lifestyle, and pop culture, from around the world.
Press
The historical facts and free press releases archives on the people, places and reports in our database library.
Fieldnotes
Forgotten story of the people and events that aided in the development as well as the decline of the cultural community.
Detroit Free Press Archives
We are dedicated to preserving and celebrating Detroit Chinatown’s rich history. The historical facts and information you uncover could form the basis for further research.
All materials on this website are the property of multiple authors and institutions and can not be used for publication or duplication without consent. Institutions where these materials exist include the Burton Historical Collection at the Detroit Public Library in Detroit, Michigan, and the Benson Ford Research Center in Dearborn, Michigan. Other items linked to a website belong to that website. The copyrights of these materials belong to the original sources from which they were published.
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Archives project
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Print Edition
Is there a Chinatown in Detroit?
The history of Chinatown in Detroit dates back to the late 1800s, when the first Chinese immigrants arrived in the city. These early immigrants were primarily male laborers who worked on the railroad and in local laundries. Over time, the Chinese community in Detroit grew and began to establish businesses and social organizations.
In the 1920s, the neighborhood known as Chinatown began to take shape in Detroit, Michigan. This area became the center of the Chinese community in Detroit, and was home to a variety of businesses, including restaurants, grocery stores, and laundries.
In the following decades, Chinatown continued to thrive and grow. However, like many inner city neighborhoods in Detroit, it was hit hard by the city’s economic decline in the latter half of the 20th century. Despite this, the community remained resilient and continued to preserve its cultural traditions and support its businesses.