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栏目序言
《钢城华人》记录 匹兹堡华人 一百多年的历史。从十九世纪的洗衣店移民，到今天活跃在大学、医院与科技产业中的华人群体，这一栏目通过历史资料、人物访谈与社区故事，逐步记录华人在这座“钢城”中的生活与变迁。
Steel City Chinese documents the history of the Chinese community in Pittsburgh. From early immigrants who ran laundries to today’s engineers, scholars, and professionals, this project explores the stories and transformations of Chinese lives in the Steel City.
跨越大陆的孤影：从加州金山到宾州钢城的华工征途（1849-1872）
在美国众多拥有华人历史的城市中，匹兹堡并不是最显眼的一座。与旧金山、纽约或洛杉矶那些规模庞大的唐人街相比，这座位于宾夕法尼亚州西部的工业城市显得低调而安静。然而，正是在这样一座以钢铁工业闻名的城市里， 匹兹堡华人 移民经历了一段跨越百年的独特历史。
匹兹堡位于 Pittsburgh 三条河流——阿勒格尼河、莫农加希拉河与俄亥俄河——交汇之处。这三条河流在城市中心汇聚，形成独特的城市景观，也塑造了这座城市与众不同的气质。因其曾经辉煌的钢铁工业历史，匹兹堡被称为“钢城”（Steel City）。
许多人第一次进入匹兹堡时，都会经过 Fort Pitt Tunnel。当汽车驶出隧道的瞬间，城市天际线与三河交汇的景象突然展现在眼前。这种从封闭到开阔的视觉转换，使这里常被称为“美国最壮观的城市入口”。
对于远渡重洋来到这里的 匹兹堡华人 移民而言，这一刻的震撼不仅是地理上的进入，更是一种心理上的跨越。
2024年6月28日，当飞机在西雅图降落，我和两个孩子第一次踏上美国的土地。几天之后，我们辗转来到匹兹堡。那时随行的是十二个沉重的行李箱。它们装着的不只是衣物和生活用品，更装着一个家庭几十年的生活记忆。
后来我意识到，这十二个行李箱不仅属于我们一家人的故事，它也隐约连接着另一段更长的历史。
早在一百多年前，也有一批来自中国的移民来到这座城市。一些来自广东的华人，在街角开设洗衣店，在钢铁城市的边缘谋生。与此同时，另一批中国青年则进入大学学习工程与科学，希望通过现代工业改变自己的国家。
从洗衣店到工程师，从唐人街到大学实验室， 匹兹堡华人 的历史正是在这样的两条轨迹中逐渐展开。
匹兹堡华人历史时间轴
Timeline of Chinese History in Pittsburgh
匹兹堡华人的历史，与这座城市的工业兴衰紧密相连。
1872
第一批华工被招募到 Beaver Falls 的餐具工厂工作，华人进入匹兹堡地区。
1877
工厂关闭后，一部分华工进入匹兹堡市区谋生，并逐渐在城市中定居。
1880—1900
钢铁工业进入黄金时代，华人开设大量洗衣店，形成早期华人经济网络。
1900—1920
第二大道一带逐渐形成唐人街社区。
1920年代
匹兹堡成为世界钢铁工业中心，唐人街进入繁荣时期。
1921
建设 Boulevard of the Allies，唐人街被拆迁，社区开始衰落。
1959
城市更新后，最后几座唐人街建筑消失。
1970—1980
钢铁工业衰退，匹兹堡进入城市转型期。
1990—2000
大学与医疗产业崛起，留学生与科研人员增加。
2000—2020
人工智能、机器人与生物医疗产业发展，新一代华人社区形成。
2024
新的移民家庭继续来到匹兹堡，华人历史进入新的阶段。
写在开始
“钢城华人”栏目将通过人物访谈、历史资料与社区故事，记录匹兹堡华人社区的发展历程。从街角洗衣店到大学实验室，从早期劳工到科技人才，这些故事共同构成了这座城市多元文化历史的一部分。
这篇文章只是一个开始。
English Summary
Among American cities with Chinese immigrant histories, Pittsburgh is not the most prominent. Compared with the large Chinatowns of cities such as San Francisco, New York, or Los Angeles, this industrial city in western Pennsylvania has long remained relatively quiet and understated. Yet within this steel city, Chinese immigrants have experienced a unique history that spans more than a century.
Pittsburgh is located at the confluence of three rivers—the Allegheny, the Monongahela, and the Ohio. These rivers meet at the center of the city, creating a distinctive landscape and shaping Pittsburgh’s character. Because of its once-powerful steel industry, the city earned the nickname “Steel City.”
For many people arriving in Pittsburgh for the first time, the most memorable moment comes when passing through the Fort Pitt Tunnel. As cars exit the dark tunnel, the skyline of the city and the meeting of the three rivers suddenly appear in full view. This dramatic transition from darkness to openness has led many to describe it as one of the most spectacular city entrances in the United States.
For Chinese immigrants who traveled across the ocean to reach this place, however, this moment represents more than just entering a city—it is also a psychological crossing into a new life.
On June 28, 2024, when my plane landed in Seattle, my two children and I stepped onto American soil for the first time. A few days later we arrived in Pittsburgh, carrying twelve heavy suitcases. They held not only clothes and daily necessities, but also the memories of decades of life.
Later I realized that these twelve suitcases were not only part of our family’s story; they were also connected to a much longer history.
More than a century ago, Chinese immigrants also arrived in this city. Some migrants from Guangdong opened small laundry shops on street corners, working at the margins of the industrial city. At the same time, another group of Chinese students entered American universities to study engineering and science, hoping to transform their country through modern technology.
From laundries to engineers, from Chinatown streets to university laboratories, the history of Chinese people in Pittsburgh gradually unfolded along these two paths.
A Brief Timeline of Chinese History in Pittsburgh
The history of Chinese people in Pittsburgh is closely tied to the rise and transformation of the city itself.
1872
The first group of Chinese workers arrived in the region to work at a cutlery factory in Beaver Falls.
1877
After the factory closed, some workers moved into Pittsburgh and began settling in the city.
1880–1900
During the golden age of the steel industry, many Chinese immigrants opened laundry businesses, forming early economic networks.
1900–1920
A small Chinatown community gradually formed along Second Avenue.
1920s
As Pittsburgh became the world’s steel capital, Chinatown entered its most prosperous period.
1921
Construction of the Boulevard of the Allies led to the demolition and fragmentation of Chinatown.
1959
Urban redevelopment removed the last remaining Chinatown buildings.
1970–1980
The collapse of the steel industry marked a turning point for the city.
1990–2000
The growth of universities and medical institutions attracted more international students and researchers.
2000–2020
With the rise of artificial intelligence, robotics, and biotechnology, a new generation of Chinese professionals emerged.
2024
New immigrant families continue to arrive, marking another chapter in the history of Chinese Pittsburgh.
A Beginning
The Steel City Chinese series documents the history of the Chinese community in Pittsburgh through interviews, archival materials, and community stories. From corner laundries to university laboratories, from early laborers to modern technology professionals, these stories form an important part of the city’s multicultural history.
This article is only the beginning.
