The restored shrine in 1997. 19th Century Chinese Memorial
Shrine Preservation Project The Campaign to Recognize and
Preserve Designation as a City Monument. On July 25, 1990, the
Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission visited the 19th
Century Los Angeles Chinese Cemetery Shrine, a little-known
historic site that would soon enjoy wider recognition. Having
learned of its imminent demolition, members of the Chinese
Historical Society of Southern California acted to protect the
Shrine, at least temporarily, by filing papers nominating it for
historic status. Commission members, the press, and others
present were surprised that, though deteriorated, an artifact of
19th century Chinese American culture had survived essentially
untouched in its original location. Dr. Amarjit S. Marwah,
Commission President, told the Los Angeles Times: "I would
definitely favor preserving this site. Los Angeles is a very
young city and this is a very old piece of history." On August
31, 1990, the City Council, acting upon the Comm