Unfortunately, there aren't as many photos of Vancouver's historic Chinatown community as there are of other neighbourhoods, but the city's archives does hold some.
These photos capture the area as it was in its earliest days. While not the oldest Chinatown in Canada (that's in Victoria) it is one of the oldest and largest in North America.
Many people came from China to work on the railway, often in terrible conditions. Despite facing racism in the government and on the streets of Vancouver, many stayed in the area and developed a community near the city's original downtown in Gastown.
Originally located around the intersection of Carrall and Dupont streets (the latter now called Pender Street) the community grew to be thousands strong. And while still facing racism, the Chinese Canadian community was also involved with the city as a whole. Sports teams played each other, business people worked made deals, and people of all races visited Chinese restaurants.
These photos capture what Chinatown looked like from the 1890s to the 1920s, including the first park and playground in Canada "to be equipped and operated by Chinese" people (according to the Vancouver Province) in 1928. At the time the Chinese Benevolent Association raised $4,000 (the equivalent of $70,000 in 2024).
The photos also show notable Vancouver businessman Yip Sang in front of his building, Canton Alley (the famous or infamous alley, depending on your point of view), and the Chinese Students' Athletic Association, who played soccer against other youth teams in the area.
