Ah Louis Store today (Photo courtesy of Elliot Gong)
The historic Ah Louis Store identifies with Ah Louis, a Chinese American pioneer, and is a symbol of the Chinese American population in San Luis Obispo.
About the Ah Louis Store:
A two-story, Victorian Italianate-style building
Built in 1874 and made of wood
About 2000 square feet in size
In 1885, the building was replaced with bricks from Ah Louis' own brickyard, with the help of Alfred Walker
Bricks still stand to this day
To read more about the Ah Louis Store, click here.
Significance of the Ah Louis Store:
Was the center of Chinatown in San Luis Obispo from 1874 - 1930
Served as the pharmacy, "...general store, post office, bank, employment office, and gathering place" (Ah Louis Store -- Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month).
Also the center of Chinese celebrations, such as Chinese New Year gatherings and firework shows
Housed Ah Louis' family from 1885 - 1936
"The Ah Louis Store was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on March 26, 2008" (Ah Louis Store -- Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month).
California Registered Historical Landmark No. 802 (Photo courtesy of Elliot Gong)
Works Cited
“Ah Louis Store -- Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month.” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, www.nps.gov/nr/feature/asia/2009/ah_louis_store.htm.