The origin of the unofficial mayors of Chicago’s Chinatown

WBEZ’s Lisa Labuz and historian Shermann “Dilla” Thomas discuss the history of Chicago’s Chinatown neighborhood at the turn of the 20th century.

By Cianna Greaves
Frank Moy, Mayor of Chinatown
Group portrait of Mayor of Chinatown Frank Moy and Oscar L. Halberg sitting at a table in a room in Chicago, Illinois, where Moy is subscribing to a second Liberty Loan in 1917. The persons in the image are identified as: Lia Qung, Reta Moy Gwing, Frank Moy Gwing, Moy Wahjung and Oscar L. Halberg. Chicago Daily News
Group portrait of Mayor of Chinatown Frank Moy and Oscar L. Halberg sitting at a table in a room in Chicago, Illinois, where Moy is subscribing to a second Liberty Loan in 1917. The persons in the image are identified as: Lia Qung, Reta Moy Gwing, Frank Moy Gwing, Moy Wahjung and Oscar L. Halberg. Chicago Daily News
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Frank Moy, Mayor of Chinatown
Group portrait of Mayor of Chinatown Frank Moy and Oscar L. Halberg sitting at a table in a room in Chicago, Illinois, where Moy is subscribing to a second Liberty Loan in 1917. The persons in the image are identified as: Lia Qung, Reta Moy Gwing, Frank Moy Gwing, Moy Wahjung and Oscar L. Halberg. Chicago Daily News
Group portrait of Mayor of Chinatown Frank Moy and Oscar L. Halberg sitting at a table in a room in Chicago, Illinois, where Moy is subscribing to a second Liberty Loan in 1917. The persons in the image are identified as: Lia Qung, Reta Moy Gwing, Frank Moy Gwing, Moy Wahjung and Oscar L. Halberg. Chicago Daily News
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The origin of the unofficial mayors of Chicago’s Chinatown

WBEZ’s Lisa Labuz and historian Shermann “Dilla” Thomas discuss the history of Chicago’s Chinatown neighborhood at the turn of the 20th century.

By Cianna Greaves
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Chinese immigrants who came to Chicago in the late 19th century faced many obstacles. They struggled with the language barrier and were subjected to racist anti-Chinese exclusion laws. To deal with the grim reality of their situation, the people of Chinatown would turn to a leader, an unofficial mayor who could advocate on their behalf.

The naming of an unofficial mayor was common practice in Chinatowns across North America, including in New York, San Francisco, Pittsburgh and Vancouver. These cities-within-cities required a skilled and charismatic leader who could communicate with the white ruling class and bridge the racial and cultural divides.

In Chicago, Sam Moy was the first to hold this title. He lived in the original Chinatown on Clark Street between Van Buren and Harrison (Chinatown relocated to the South Loop in 1912). Moy was a wealthy, self-made businessman who came to Chicago from the West Coast as a teenager around the 1870s. Moy was said to have been fluent in English. He also had a working understanding of the law and successfully represented Chinese immigrants in courts across the county, since legal representation was key for those looking to start a business.

Chinese immigrants migrated toward hand laundries and restaurants. But laws passed by the city worked against the Chinese, making it harder to get these businesses off the ground.

“The city of Chicago says the only way you’re going to have a restaurant is to have a high-end restaurant, with fancy furniture, liquor, and entertainment,” explained Edward Jung of the Chinese American Museum of Chicago. “How many immigrants have that type of money?”

This is where the so-called mayor of Chinatown would intervene.

“He was able to fight through most of it, but not all of it of course,” said Jung. “But it made life easier for the fellow Chineses, trying to make a living in the community.”

WBEZ contributor Shermann “Dilla” Thomas and Lisa Labuz dive into this fascinating piece of Chinatown’s history.