Gold Mountain, Big City

The unique character of San Francisco’s Chinatown is revealed in a historical map and fascinating photographs

This colorful and celebratory time capsule of San Francisco’s Chinatown—the largest Chinese community outside of Asia—shares the stories of the unique businesses, culture, and people encountered by map illustrator Ken Cathcart between 1939 and 1955. Each section of this stylized map, supplemented by Cathcart’s never-before-seen black-and-white photographs, is explained in meticulous detail, revealing glimpses of the immigration story universal to America and exploring the struggles, triumphs, and enduring legacy of this vibrant community.