A significant neon sign in Chinatown, San Francisco, has been revitalized thanks to a successful fundraising effort that raised approximately $65,000. This sign commemorates Tommy and May Chin Tong, who are acknowledged for establishing what is thought to be the first Chinese-language radio program in North America.
The couple founded the Golden Star Radio Company in 1939, producing "The Chinese Hour" from their basement studio and broadcasting to Cantonese-speaking listeners in the Bay Area.
Steve Kushman from the California Historical Radio Society highlighted that the program offered a sense of community for new immigrants by providing news and stories in their native language. While May Tong prepared and presented the news, her husband Tommy Tong managed the technical side of the broadcasts.
Their son, Ron Tong, shared that he grew up surrounded by his parents' work, emphasizing how the program helped immigrants maintain their cultural ties while adapting to life in the United States.
The Chinese Hour ran for four decades, from 1939 until 1979. Last year, researchers found images of the Golden Star Radio sign, previously located at 846 Clay Street, which led to the restoration initiative. Crews carefully refurbished the sign, bringing back its original colors and adding new neon lights.
Recently, the sign was illuminated once again after years of darkness. Ron Tong noted that he came to appreciate his parents' contributions more deeply as he grew older, recognizing their lasting impact on the community. Although few recordings of The Chinese Hour remain, the restored sign stands as a testament to the Tongs' legacy in broadcasting and their influence on San Francisco's Chinese American community.