Detroit no longer has a Chinatown, but historically has had two different locations referred to as Chinatown.
In the early days of 1900s Detroit, Chinese immigrants set up businesses along West Jefferson Avenue near the riverfront and expanded northward along First, Second, and Third Avenues. The most notable of these businesses was Chung’s Chop Suey on Third Ave. on the bottom floor of the On Leong Building, which housed the Chinese Merchants Association. Nearby at Third and Abbot was the Chinese Cultural Building, which housed the Chinese School of Detroit.
The urban renewal regime of the 1960s struck down Chinatown when the Detroit Housing Commission labeled it a slum in need of demolition. The Lodge Freeway was built through most of Detroit’s original Chinatown and efforts were made to establish an “international village” on Cass Avenue near Peterboro. Chung’s restaurant relocated to the area, but the majority of the other Chinese businesses moved further away within the city or outside of the city limits entirely.
Detroit’s second Chinatown didn’t last on Cass Avenue. The On Leong Chinese Merchants Association ended operations in 1996 and Chung’s restaurant closed in 2000 after 40 years. The area was marked by a pagoda inspired sign post that has been renovated and reinstalled. Currently there is only one Chinese-inspired restaurant on Peterboro and it remains difficult to find Chinese restaurants in the city.
Resources:
- Studio:DETROIT – Chinatown Project (University of Michigan/Cass Corridor Development Corporation (CCDC))
- Detroit’s Chinatowns Exhibit (Detroit Historical Society)
- Chinatown – Ethnic Layers of Detroit (Wayne State University)
- Detroit Chinatown LLC (???)
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