Chinatown San Luis Obispo - Ah Louis - National Landmark

The Ah Louis Store is a historic two-story brick building located in San Luis Obispo, California. Founded in 1874 by Ah Louis, a Chinese American labor contractor, the store served as a hub for the Chinese American community in the area. It offered a variety of goods, including dry goods, tea, sugar, rice, and Chinese products, and also functioned as a bank, supply center, and employment office. The store is recognized as a California State Historical Landmark and stands as a testament to the pioneering spirit of Ah Louis and the Chinese American community in San Luis Obispo.

Ah Louis, originally from Canton, China, played a significant role in the development of the region. He brought Chinese American laborers to help construct the Pacific Coast Railroad and was awarded contracts for road building and land reclamation. Ah Louis also set up a brickyard and kiln, producing bricks used in the construction of various buildings, including his own store, the roundhouse, the old courthouse, and the east wing of the San Luis Obispo Mission. Today, the Ah Louis Store stands as a cherished landmark, preserving the history and contributions of the Chinese American community in San Luis Obispo.

Generated from the website