windwalker wrote:Thought some might be interested in old history.
Yes, interesting U.S. history. Here's a couple photos I found.
GENTHE'S PHOTOGRAPHS OF SAN FRANCISCO'S OLD CHINATOWN
Photographs by Arnold Genthe, Selection and text by John Kuo Wei Tchen
"The Mountainbank," "The Peking Two Knife Man," "The Sword dancer" - Genthe's various titles for this portrait of
Sung Chi Liang, well known for his martial arts skills. Nicknamed Daniu, or "Big Ox," referring to his great strength, he also sold an herbal medicine rub after performing a martial art routine in the street. The medicine, tiedayanjiu (tit daa yeuk jau), was commonly used to help heal bruises sustained in fights or falls. This scene is in front of 32, 34, and 36 Waverly Place, on the east side of the street, between Clay and Washington Streets. Next to the two onlookers on the right is a wooden stand which, with a wash basin, would advertise a Chinese barbershop open for business. The adjacent basement stairwell leads to an inexpensive Chinese restaurant specializing in morning zhou (juk), or rice porridge.
Sword dancer in San Francisco’s Chinatown, by Arthur Genthe, 1896-1906:
https://aerbook.com/maker/books/5984/as ... _i0018.jpgChinatown tong wars,
http://www.sfexaminer.com/chinatown-tong-wars/:
Paul Drexler on January 16, 2016 wrote:Tongs began in 1852, with the establishment in San Francsico of the Ghee Kung Tong — the mother of all tongs. Inspired by the 17th century Triads of China, the Ghee Kung Tong began as a protective organization but soon developed a strong criminal component. This tong played a small but significant role in the establishment of modern China.
The San Francisco Police Department’s Chinatown Squad, pictured in 1889, were known for using direct means to squash the tongs’ presence in Chinatown:
http://s79f01z693v3ecoes3yyjsg1.wpengin ... rooks1.jpg