This is San Francisco’s Chinatown, in 1915.
Apart from the cars, it’s not very different, one hundred and ten years later. The beautiful streetlights are still there!
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San Francisco’s Chinatown, 1915
old spirituals
madness, mystery, and magic at the turn of the century
old spirituals 
It has been a very long time since I walked the streets of San Francisco’s Chinatown. The time has not diminished the image I carry with me of its cultural vibrancy.
I must admit, for me it is a cultural icon second to Manhattan’s Little Italy in New York. I have walked and dinned in Little Italy’s restaurants many times. One of my childhood memories is being with my mother at Mamma Leone’s and hearing her speak Italian to the waiter . . . . and joking with him.
Unfortunately, Mama Leone’s is no longer in business. The maternal side of my family started as the result of a marriage ceremony not far from Little Italy, in the Church of Our Lady of Pompei, in 1909. Ironically, New York’s Little Italy is bordered on the south by New York’s Chinatown.
Anyone planning a trip to NYC who desires a great cultural experience should go in September and attend the San Gennaro Festival held in Little Italy. And go hungry!
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You can never go wrong with food in Little Italy! Though I’m ashamed to admit, I haven’t been to NYC’s Little Italy which is the best one by most accounts.
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Short of flying to NYC, find a Eataly reasonably close to home. You will while away hours walking through an Eataly store, and I have done exactly that at its Chicago location. Just imagine floors of Italian foods and culture that will sensorially whisk you away to Italy. It is an experience.
https://www.eataly.com/us_en
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I’ll check it out!
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