Looking Back’s theme for 2026 was Downtown by the Decades. In about 1914, photographer Robert Esterly produced a valuable series of photographs of downtown businesses. In the early twentieth century, downtown boasted several Chinese restaurants. The Pekin Café, pictured here, was located on Capitol Way between State and Fourth. It was owned by Chinese-born Lock Hoy.
Robert Esterly photograph, ca. 1914, Courtesy State Capital Museum collection, Washington State Historical Society, catalog 2010.149.40.2
Text © Deborah Ross and The Olympian 2026