In 1877, a group of Chinese immigrants settled in the central California town of Hanford. The Chinese population quickly grew, and to provide some comforting reminders of home within the bustling community, a vibrant Chinatown developed. One short, packed street served as a hub where people gathered, shopped, ate and socialized: China Alley. The area peaked just before World War II and declined over the next several years. Now, the area suffers from deterioration as most businesses have been deserted for years, and it has suffered at the hands of weather damage and vandalism.