Asian Pacific Thematic Historic District

The district is bounded by Market Street to the north, 2nd Ave. to the west, 6th Ave. to the east and J St. to the south.

San Diego's Chinatown began in the area in the 1860s, settled by abalone fishermen.

After returning from service in World War II, Chinese-Americans moved to other areas of San Diego.

The area was finally concluded as a Historic District during the redevelopment of the Gaslamp Quarter in the 1980s and 90s, when eventually dozens of Chinese owned businesses closed and the majority of the Chinese population began to dissipate.

[5] Murray K. Lee, curator of the museum, is as of January 2011 preparing a book about the history of Chinatown.