Pan American Cafe

The correspondences from Wichita to King in China were from his acquaintances because he was the manager of the Pan American Cafe.  

His father and three partners opened the Pan Am in 1920.  Sam and Lee Gwong, both spoke a little English, were the public face of the business why other partners helped in the kitchen.  I'm not sure that Lee Gwong was the name of King's father (more research needed) as on the family tree I have Dune Toi Mar as his name. 

King came to the U.S. in June/July 1914 at age 19.  He was listed as the Pan American manager in 1929. 

Here's a photo of the restaurant around 1920.  1920s because you can see a portrait of President Warren G. Harding behind the counter (if you expand the photo).

A full house, in the 1930s

1956 with cushioned booths and stainless steel wall covering.  Aisles were still narrow and would not meet today's ADA regulations.

The Pan American from the outside:  King in 1947 and the front in 1962 (I dated the photo based on the Thunderbird parked in front.)

The Pan American had an annual Christmas Party for its employees and families.  The first photo is from 1945.  Names were written on the back side.  The second photo is a reverse image so you can connect names and faces.  Ken may be the only other family member to recognize a few faces.  He would be looking a photos of people before we were born.

The Pan American was one of several Chinese-American restaurants in downtown Wichita.   There were at one time as many as ten.  The Pan Am was located at 150 N. Market.  Two others were the Fairland Cafe at 116 S. Broadway and the Holly Cafe at 119 W. Douglas.  The Holly Cafe is mentioned in some of the letters.   The Holly later was managed by my Dad, Chin Wee, until the urban renewal project for the Century II Center forced it's closure in the 1960s.

For many years, these cafes were open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for several economic factors.  During World War II and after, the aircraft companies - Boeing, Beech and Cessna - had work and shifts around the clock.  Oil was discovered around El Dorado, just east of Wichita and crews worked around the clock.  And hotel business brought customers in.
Across the street from the Pan American was the Lassen Hotel, The Broadview was near the Holly and the Fairland had traffic from the Allis Hotel.

Several of the waitresses in the 1945 were working at the Pan Am when my brothers and I were growing up in the 50s.  Three were at King's 90th birthday party in 1984. 

 That's Donna, Esther and I can't remember the third's name.

Here's the 1956 Christmas Party picture with family members and other relatives.  There was another one with the staff as well.

My family members: 2nd row center - King Mar in suit, wife Suzon with Kenneth,
Mom Yim with Sam, and me (Eugene) in front in the plaid shirt. 
The tallest man in back is Ning Mar, who was the night manager for many years. 
I think that is Wayne Wong standing behind my Mom. 
If that is correct, I guess to his right is his father, Mar Tung Jing,
and to his left his wife, Yee Kim Suey.

Here are a few more photos by King.

Dad (Chin Wee) at the register in 1949.  Donna is in the middle
(see her photo above from 1984)

1953 - it was a complete kitchen that prepared American and Chinese
chop suey foods.  I remember grandpa King let me watch him make a cherry
pie - making the crust, filling it and expertly fluted the edges.

1954 - I knew that Esther was an avid fisherman,
but did she land this one locally?

1960s - This is where customers and friends saw King every time at
the Pan American - from 1927 until the cafe closed in 1969.