Last year, I found that Walmart was selling the game Hanfordopoly. It’s like Monopoly, but for my town. Well, I had to buy it! Then Lauren and I went around town and took pictures of each of the places on the game board. It was so much fun! I can’t wait to introduce you to our sweet little town and some of its history.

Part 1-Freddy the Firetruck and Carousel

Part 2– Hanford Mall

Part 3– Fox Theatre

Part 4– Civic Auditorium and Civic Park

Part 5 – Downtown

Part 6 – The Plunge

Part 7 – Kings Art Center

Part 8 – Hanford Library

Part 9 – Renaissance Faire

Part 10 – Centennial Park

Part 11 – La Fiesta Restaurant

Part 12 – Hidden Valley Park

Today’s post is featuring our little city’s China Alley. There is so much history here!

“China Alley in Hanford, California is a short street featuring eleven historic buildings near Seventh and Green Streets in downtown Hanford. The alley entrance is on Green Street just north of Seventh Street.

China Alley traces its roots to 1877, when the Central Pacific railroad was extended westward into the area and the new town of Hanford was formed. Numerous Chinese came to the area, many initially to help build the railroads, but others came for farming and agricultural purposes.

The alley grew rapidly and the Chinatown prospered to include restaurants, homes, boarding houses, grocery stores, laundries, herb shops with reputable herbal doctors, sundries stores, gambling establishments, a Chinese school and a Taoist Temple. It soon became known as a “city within a city” with buildings lining both sides of the alley made from bricks formed and fired on site.

Visiting Hanford’s China Alley Historic District is a fascinating adventure that allows us to step back into history. As visitors enter China Alley today, they are met with a sense of historic ambiance that is reminiscent of a strong cultural heritage. Many of the buildings lining the alley are visually unaltered and remain largely as they did over 100 years ago.” (ChinaAlley.com)

Many years ago, when the girls were young, we toured the Temple here on China Alley. Unfortunately, in 2021 the temple had a fire.

“On the night of May 12, 2021, the Taoist Temple Museum in the China Alley Historic District of Hanford, CA was heavily damaged by fire. While the building is stable, the fire caused severe heat and smoke damage to the temple room and its artifacts on the second floor, which will require significant clean up and conservation.” ChinaAlley.com

Imperial Dynasty has the fancy restaurant we would go to when you had a special night out. Oh, the food was so amazing!

“In 1958, the Imperial Dynasty opened its doors and gained reputation and honors, as Uncle Ernie’s wine collection and Uncle Richard’s cuisine acquired award-winning accolades.

After millions of meals had been served and just as many memories had been created, in November 2005 my family announced the Imperial Dynasty, which had anchored Hanford’s fading China Alley, would soon close its doors. On Feb. 18, 2006, the lights in the Imperial Dynasty went dark, thus ending the 123-year run during which my family had a restaurant business in China Alley.” Hanford Sentinel

This restaurant isn’t actually in the alley, but very nearby. This is our favorite Chinese place to go to, Hong Kong Chop Suey.

The Chinese Theater is a local community theater and my kids did several plays here in their Jr. High and High School years. They learned a lot and met a lot of good friends. The first year, one of the performances was on the night of Lauren’s winter formal, so we had several of the kids come over and we had our own formal at home. The kids had a lot of fun!

“The old Chinese school at 514 Visalia St. in Hanford was built in 1922 for $3,500, according to information supplied in Michael Semas “Kings County Postcard History Series.” Children from the town’s Chinese district were sent to the school to learn Chinese history, language and culture. Known as the Chinese Center for Knowledge, it closed in the late 1940s.

The Kings Players, established in 1963 by Audrey Leibold and other community members, turned the school into the Temple Theatre the following year. It offers four plays per year during its regular season and has a supportive foundation called Friends of the Players.” The Hanford Sentinel

I know there is a committee that is working to preserve China Alley, but I don’t see that much has been done. I’m sure it will be a long process. It would be wonderful to see it as a thriving place once again.