Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts with the label Chinese radio

Golden Star Radio, First Minority Foreign Language Radio Hour in the US

There is an ancient neon sign from the 1920s at 850 Clay that says 金星 "Golden Star Radio", cross street is Spofford Alley.  Golden Star Radio Sign @ 850 Clay by author Turns out there's a story behind this... Golden Star Radio was the sponsor of the first all-Chinese radio program in the US, called "Golden Star Radio Hour".  It was recorded  that Thomas Tung and his company sponsored the first all-Chinese radio program on April 22, 1939, transmitted by 1450 KSAN-AM in San Francisco. According to the book Cathay by the Bay  via NerdsEyeView  the program called for 15 minutes of news, 15 minutes of Cantonese Opera, 6-7 different commercials, and the last half dedicated to contemporary music from Hong Kong.  Golden Star Radio Co was Founded in 1936 at 846 Clay by Thomas Tung, it started as a radio sales and service company. The company primarily served as a radio seller and repair depot for Chinatown during the day. But at night, in the basement, Thomas T...

About the author

Kasey is a professional tour guide and amateur historian who specialized in Chinatown History and Tours. You will often find him guiding groups sampling delicious food and learning interesting historical tidbits about Chinatown most weekends.