Chinatown - Group B - Rhiannon

For my section of the Chinatown project, I am focusing on the destruction and rebuilding of Chinatown after the 1906 earthquake and subsequent fire.  Chinatown survived the actual earthquake somewhat well, but was almost entirely consumed by the firebreak explosions set off to save the nearby Financial District.  Firefighters ran out of dynamite to level the buildings near Kearny, so when they used black gunpowder instead, the wind carried the flames into the previously spared Chinatown.

After the fire, the official death count never even included the Chinese in San Francisco.  It was only estimated much later that 3,000 residents of Chinatown were killed.  My project will focus on that inconsistency and the struggle for Chinatown's residents to reclaim their homes and businesses after the fire.

Chinatown after the fire  1906

Chinese Camp after the fire.  Residents were blocked by the National Guard from returning to their homes and businesses as they were looted.  They were under order to shoot any residents that tried to sneak back to reclaim their belongings.

Rebuilt Chinatown