Chinatown's 'City Hall,' seized by the feds years ago, might now get listed on the National Register

Chinatown's 'City Hall,' seized by the feds years ago, might now get listed on the National Register

The former On Leong Merchant Association building could join the prestigious list by the end of summer.

Researching the History of Boston’s Chinatown

Established in the 1870s, Boston's Chinatown has been an Asian American cultural hub for over 150 years. It is the only remaining historic Chinatown in New England. Below are resources to explore this rich history, from early Chinese laundries to present-day affordable housing activism. Dancers at the August Moon Festival in Chinatown in 2002. This image is part of the Lou Jones Collection at the Boston Public Library. Getting Started Not sure w…

Chinatown’s ‘City Hall,’ seized by the feds years ago, might now get listed on the National Register

The former On Leong Merchant Association Building has been a symbol of Chinatown for nearly a century, carrying with it a history as colorful as its architecture. And now the 97-year-old building’s design and backstory might help earn it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. The program committee of the Commission on Chicago Landmarks is scheduled to vote May 16 on whether to support a National Register listing for the On Leong bui…