Chatham Square, Manhattan

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Chatham Square or Kimlau Square in Manhattan is on the southern side of Chinatown, at the confluence of seven streets, Bowery, East Broadway, St. James Place, Mott Street, Oliver Street, Worth Street and Park Row. Park Row had once been Chatham Street, giving the square its name.

Up until about 1820, the square had been used as a large open air market for goods and livestock, mainly horses. By the mid 1800s, it became a center for tatoo parlors, flophouses and saloons, as a seedy section of the old Five Points neighborhood. In the 20th century, after The Great Depression and Prohibition, the area was reformed.

The Kimlau Memorial Arch was erected, dedicated to the many Chinese Americans who have fought and died in the name of freedom and democracy. The arch is named after 2nd Lt. Benjamin Ralph Kimlau, a World War II aircraft commander of the 530th Squadron. The square was rededicated as Kimlau Square, although it is still generally known as Chatham Square.

There is also a statue of Lin Tse-hsu in the square.

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