Fresno's Historic Chinatown was established in 1885 and was the central hub for Fresno for many years. In fact, most of Fresno's cultural and ethnic communities can call Chinatown their original home. From the late 1880s to the mid 1950s, it was not unusual to find a Japanese newspaper publisher next door to an Italian market. Walking down the streets of Chinatown, one could find a German feed shop, a Chinese herbalist, an African-American blacksmith shop, an Armenian hotel and a Basque restaurant and ball court. One could enjoy the tradition of Japanese Sumo Wrestling or see a live theater show and movie at a Mexican theater.
