Help Save Riverside Chinatown

November 13, 2008

Dear Preservation 911,

I am writing on behalf of a group of citizens who trying to stop the destruction of the Riverside Chinatown, an archaeological site in Riverside, Calif. The Riverside California City Council has approved the construction of a medical office building on the National Register-listed site over the vigorous opposition of the community.

Although the land is owned by the Riverside County Board of Education, and is supposed to be protected as an historic site, the property is in escrow, and heavy construction equipment is sitting on the site. 

In 1984-85 there was an archaeological excavation of only a part of the site that uncovered over three tons of artifacts. According to archaeologists, the unexcavated portion of the site contains the bulk of the Chinatown artifacts, although much of it is several feet under the ground.  In recognition of the significance of the site, a conscious decision was made at that time to excavate the less sensitive area and to leave the bulk of the artifacts undisturbed.

Construction is due to start in less than three weeks. At this point I am trying to reach out to as many people as possible. If you know of any organization or individual who could help us please let me know. Thank you. 

Sincerely,

Margie Akin, Ph.D.

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