Many major cities across the U.S. have a Chinatown, Little Italy or some other ethnic enclave where immigrants have settled together, such a Greektown in Detroit or India Square in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Millions of immigrants came to the U.S. in the 1800s and early 1900s, often settling into enclaves in big cities such as New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago.

But Phoenix was pretty small then. In the 1890s, there were more Italian immigrants living in Boston’s North End than there were people living in the entire city of Phoenix.

So, did we ever have an ethnic enclave in metro Phoenix?

Yes. At the turn of the 20th century, Phoenix had a Chinatown.

Listen to this episode of the Valley 101 podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com to learn more.

Listen to this episode:

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NOTE: Valley 101 is intended to be heard. If you are unable to do so, however, you can read the transcript by clicking here. This transcript is created in part by audio transcription software and lightly edited by a producer, so there may be slight deviations from the podcast audio.

In this episode you'll hear:

A description of what Chinatown was like in Phoenix, including an anecdote from civil-rights icon Booker T. Washington.

Harlan Lee, who was the third-generation owner of Sing High Chop Suey House, which opened in Phoenix's Chinatown.

What happened to our Chinatown.

Tony Chanthavong of Snoh Ice Shavery in downtown Phoenix.

How Mekong Plaza in Mesa is the new center for Asian businesses in the Valley.

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