Chinese Freemasons Building
1 West Pender Street
Chinatown does not look like a Chinese town, nor are its buildings
identical to those of China. For example, this building (completed
in 1901) shows Chinese-influenced recessed balconies to Pender Street,
and a Victorian Italianate-style façade to Carrall Street. The Cheekungton
(CKT), which purchased this building in 1907, was a powerful secret
society that supported the 1911 Chinese rebellion led by Dr. Sun
Yat-Sen. It even mortgaged this building to raise money for the
cause. In 1920 the CKT changed its name to the Chinese Freemasons
in an attempt to forge ties with white organizations
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