What is the history of Chatham Square?

Named after William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, the square functioned as an open-air market for goods and livestock (primarily horses) until about 1820. By the mid-19th century, it became a seedy section of the old Five Points neighborhood known for saloons, flophouses, and tattoo parlors.

It is located in Chinatown, Manhattan, at the confluence of eight streets: the Bowery, Doyers Street, East Broadway, St. James Place, Mott Street, Oliver Street, Worth Street, and Park Row.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

Chatham Square in New York City

Chatham Square

A historic gateway to Manhattan's Chinatown, this complex intersection serves as a memorial plaza honoring Chinese-American soldiers and Qing dynasty scholar-warrior Lin Zexu.

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What is Chatham Square known for?

Chatham Square is a major intersection in Manhattan's Chinatown that serves as a gateway to the neighborhood. It is home to Kimlau Square (also known as Lin Ze Xu Square), which features an 18-foot memorial to Lt. Benjamin Kimlau and other Chinese-American soldiers, a statue of the Qing dynasty scholar-warrior Lin Zexu, and a nearby larger-than-life bust of Confucius.

Are there any plans to redesign the area?

Yes, the Chinatown Connections project aims to redesign the square into a safer, more vibrant gateway with a standard four-way intersection, larger public spaces, shorter pedestrian crossings, and direct bicycle connections. Additionally, some vehicle right-of-way is planned for conversion into a landscaped promenade.

What to know

Chatham Square is a major intersection in Manhattan's Chinatown, sitting at the confluence of eight streets, including the Bowery, Mott Street, and Park Row. Named for William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, the area has evolved from an open-air market for livestock and horses until 1820 into a center for tattoo parlors and saloons during the mid-19th century. In the 1850s, it became a geographic center for daguerreotype activity, with early images capturing the four-story Chatham Square post office and Purdy's National Theatre. At the heart of the intersection is Kimlau Square, also known as Lin Ze Xu Square. This public plaza honors Lt. Benjamin Kimlau, a Chinese-American bomber pilot who died in World War II, through an 18-foot memorial. The site also features a bronze statue of the Qing dynasty-era scholar-warrior Lin Zexu, sculpted by Li Wei-Si, and a larger-than-life bust of Confucius nearby, which serves as a community meeting place. Currently, the square is undergoing a transformation through the Chinatown Connections project. This initiative aims to redesign the complex six-point intersection into a safer, more vibrant gateway that celebrates Chinese heritage. Planned improvements include converting parts of the vehicle right-of-way into a landscaped promenade for pedestrians and bicyclists, simplifying the traffic movements to improve safety for all users.

Visitor tips

Be cautious when crossing the complex intersection, as it has many traffic conflict points.
Look for the larger-than-life bust of Confucius nearby to find a common community meeting spot.
Allow extra time to explore the surrounding Chinatown streets like Mott Street and Doyers Street.

Nearby context

Chatham Square serves as the primary entrance to Manhattan's Chinatown, connecting the Bowery and Park Row to the heart of the neighborhood's commercial district.

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