Chatham Square

Deep in the heart of Manhattan’s Chinatown, lies Chatham Square. It’s not just a square, but a confluence of eight bustling streets: the Bowery, Doyers Street, East Broadway, St. James Place, Mott Street, Oliver Street, Worth Street, and Park Row. Chatham Square pulsates with energy, a crossroads of history and culture. Chatham Square earned its name from William Pitt, the 1st Earl of Chatham. He was the British Prime Minister before the American Revolution. Interestingly, Pitt Street in the Lower East Side also carries his name. Park Row, another street intersecting Chatham Square, was once known as Chatham Street. Imagine Chatham Square in the early 1800s. It wasn’t the paved intersection we see today, but a vibrant open-air market. Farmers brought their livestock, mainly horses, and traders hawked their wares. By the mid-1800s, Chatham Square had transformed again. It became a hub for tattoo parlors, saloons, and flophouses, a seedy underbelly of the Five Points neighborhood. In the 20th century, after the Great Depression and Prohibition, the area underwent significant reforms. Nestled within Chatham Square is a small park. It’s known as both Kimlau Square and Lin Ze Xu Square. This park holds a special monument. The Kimlau Memorial Arch stands proudly, honoring Chinese-American service members who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The arch was erected in 1961 by the American Legion, Lt. B.R. Kimlau Post 1291. It’s named after 2nd Lt. Benjamin Ralph Kimlau, a brave aircraft commander shot down during World War II. Designed by Poy Gum Lee, the arch features beautiful calligraphy by the renowned poet Yu Youren. In 2021, this memorial received well-deserved recognition. The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission designated it a landmark. The park also boasts a larger-than-life bronze statue of Lin Zexu, created by sculptor Li Wei-Si. Chatham Square also played a significant role in New York City’s transportation history. It was a major station for both the Second Avenue Elevated Line and the Third Avenue Elevated Line. These lines closed in 1942 and 1955 respectively. They were intended to be replaced by the Second Avenue Subway, a project that faced repeated postponements. A new station at Chatham Square is proposed as part of Phase 4 of the Second Avenue Subway. However, funding and timelines remain uncertain.