We usually laid over for a few days in San Francisco spending our time shopping and taking in the sights. And, of course one of the places we visited while in San Francisco was Chinatown.

I first visited Chinatown in 1959 on the way to Saigon. I found it interesting how what appeared to be a miniature Hong Kong was right in the middle of San Francisco. As we strolled about the streets and alley ways of Chinatown, I remember wondering what it was like in it’s early days of the 1800s and early 1900s before the modern conveniences of the 1950s. What the people were like back then. What the shops, stores and buildings where like. Was it the thriving community back then that it was in 1959.

Several years ago at an auction I bought a box of old film canisters of unknown contents. It sat around for years collecting dust until one day I decided to look though it’s contents to see what I would find.

Among the films was the one below of Chinatown in 1912. I think you’ll find it interesting. I know I did.

Enjoy …

WHAT A DIFFERENCE 103 YEARS MAKES

While in San Francisco during early July this year I had a couple of days to kill. I hadn’t visited Chinatown since the late 1970s. So I grabbed my hat cam and headed out for a stroll around Chinatown just for the heck of it. Below is some footage of Chinatown 2015. It is interesting that most of the buildings that where there in 1912 are still there today.

Enjoy …

Did you visit Chinatown while passing through San Francisco on your way to or from Saigon?

If so, what was your impression of Chinatown.

What do you remember most about it?

When was the last time you visited Chinatown?