Pachappa Camp: The First Koreatown in the United States

by Edward T. Chang

Through new research and materials, Edward T. Chang proves in Pachappa The First Koreatown in the United States that Dosan Ahn Chang Ho established the first Koreatown in Riverside, California in early 1905. Chang reveals the story of Pachappa Camp and its roots in the diasporic Korean community's independence movement efforts for their homeland during the early 1900s and in the lives of the residents. Long overlooked by historians, Pachappa Camp studies the creation of Pachappa Camp and its place in Korean and Korean American history, placing Korean Americans in Riverside at the forefront of the Korean American community’s history.

142 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 14, 2021

Reviews

[David Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first true Korean American community is determined to have been in Riverside, California, from about 1905-1918, and Korean independence leader Ahn Chang Ho is found to have led it. A fascinating but little-known chapter of Korean American history. However, as a book presenting these findings, the writing is dry and often repetitive. Patience and interest in the subject (which I had) is required.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's an interesting subject to me. The writing is pretty scattered, especially the first chapter (at least in my opinion). But it gets better as it goes along and the last chapter is worth reading.