Arnold Genthe - SFHS Presentation by San Francisco historian Gloria Lenhart

San Francisco historian Gloria Lenhart discusses the life and work of early San Francisco photographer Arnold Genthe. Genthe is most famous for his photographs of Chinatown before 1906, and his photos of San Francisco in the aftermath of the 1906 earthquake and fire. Genthe explored the shops, streets, and alleys of Chinatown when the neighborhood was just six blocks long by three blocks wide and home to more than 15,000 people; when gambling houses, shooting galleries, and opium dens existed alongside vegetable stands, small shops, and apartment buildings. Genthe's portraits of the people of Chinatown provide a rare glimpse of everyday life in one of San Francisco's oldest neighborhoods.

[@janicelow8288]

This was fascinating, Gloria!

[@yorkmanlowe8009]

You said there were 15,000 residents in 18 blocks, or 833 per block, without high-rise bldgs, and some of the land was non-residential. How was that possible? Also, you mentioned that the Chinese weren't allowed outside Chinatown after dark. I was told that my grandfather, a Chinese immigrant, had a small business near Fillmore St in the 1910s, possibly into the early 20s; presumably he lived in or near the shop. Maybe the law changed by then.

[@bernadettehooper4318]

Very enjoyable. Thank you. Next stop LOC.gov!