Prop 40 - Little Tokyo Historical Markers ProjectThe goal of the Little Tokyo Historical Markers Project is to recognize and preserve the diverse history of Little Tokyo through historical markers. The historical markers are placed on public sidewalks at 14 historic sites. Serving as historic plaques, the 18” x 13” brass markers contain a narrative and an image of the historic site. All of the historic markers are connected to each other, serving as a self-led walking tour of Little Tokyo. This public history project also serves as public art, commemorating the rich cultural history of the Little Tokyo.
All identified Little Tokyo historical markers subjects have met at least one of the following criteria of significance.
- Be associated with events that have made a significant contribution to broad patterns of the history in Little Tokyo.
- Be associated with persons no longer living who have made significant contributions to patterns of the history and culture in Little Tokyo.
- Embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, style, period, method of construction, architecture, or represent the work of a master.
- Be associated with ethnic groups who have made distinctive and significant contributions to the history of Little Tokyo.
- Embody characteristics representing significant aspects of the physical or natural history of Little Tokyo.
- Represent popular stories or myths that, although not verifiable, are significant to the history and culture of Little Tokyo.
Historic Grapefruit Tree
(1850 -)
244 South San Pedro Street
This is the last remaining vestige of William Wolfskill’s 70-acre citrus orchard that once extended to downtown Los Angeles. The grapefruit tree was saved from destruction by members of the Southern California Gardeners’ Federation who moved it from the middle of this block to the corner of the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center Plaza in 1984.
Kame Restaurant
(1885 - ?)
340 East First Street
Little Tokyo traces its beginnings to this site where a shipwrecked sailor Hamanosuke “Charles Hama” Shigeta opened the first Japanese business, the Kame Restaurant in 1885. It is estimated that 25 residents made up Los Angeles’ first Japanese community.
Amelia Street School
(1885-1952)
611 Jackson Street
Little Tokyo’s second public elementary school opened on this site in 1885 educating children of Japanese, Chinese and Mexican immigrants. Before World War II, Miss Nellie Oliver organized after school sports and social clubs for her many Japanese American students. The Oliver Club continues its activities into the present well after the school’s close in 1952.
Japanese “YMCA”
(1888 - 1890)
110 North Alameda Street
The first Japanese boarding house opened on this site in 1888. The “YMCA” provided Little Tokyo’s first residents with food, lodging and recreation.
“Old Little Tokyo”
(1900 – 1950)
Bounded by Temple Street, Judge John Aiso Street, First Street, Los Angeles Street
Until 1950 and the construction of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Parker Center, this one block east of City Hall was home to more than 1,000 residents and 50 Little Tokyo businesses. The district’s loss of 25% of its land area brought an end to many longtime establishments such as the Olympic Hotel (1925), the Filipino Christian Church and Fellowship (1905), the Rafu Dojo (1920), and Paris Hotel (1923) where Toyo Miyatake had his first photo studio.
Fugetsudo
(1903 -)
116 – 120 Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka Street (Originally Wilmington Street, then Weller Street)
In 1903, Seiichi Kito, credited with inventing the fortune cookie, opened the Japanese confectionary Fugetsudo on this site. The shop moved to 315 East First Street in 1958. Today, Fugetsudo is the oldest family-owned business in Little Tokyo in its third generation operated by Brian Kito.
Rafu Shimpo
(1903 -)
128 North Main Street
The largest and oldest Japanese bilingual newspaper outside of Japan opened its offices on this site in 1903. In 1922 under publisher H.T. Komai it began publishing an English section, a practice that continues to this day. Today, the Rafu Shimpo is in its third generation of family ownership with publisher Michael Komai.
First African Methodist Episcopal Church / Apostolic Faith Mission
(1888 - 1931)
312 Azusa Street
Freed slave and pioneering businesswoman Bridget “Biddy” Mason financed the construction of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles on this site in 1888. From 1906 - 1909 it was the site of the Azusa Street Revival led by William Seymour, which launched the worldwide Pentecostal movement. The two-story wooden structure served as the Apostolic Faith Mission until its demolition in 1931.
Produce Market
(1909 - ?)
222 South Central Avenue
During the first decades of the twentieth century, Japanese farmers played a major role in developing California’s agriculture. Issei (first generation) growers who operated a produce market here later joined with Chinese, Russian and American wholesalers to form the City Market of Los Angeles at Ninth and San Pedro Streets. It is estimated that prior to World War II, Japanese grew and wholesaled 75% of all fresh produce consumed in Los Angeles.
S.K. Uyeda Building
(1910 -)
228-230 East First Street
The International, one of the first-Japanese owned theaters in Los Angeles, stood on this site from 1906 until its close in the 1920s. In 1925 the “San Kwo Low,” a popular “chop suey” eatery which attracted Charlie Chaplin and Hollywood luminaries, opened. Later, it was the first location of Enbun Market (1935). In 1945, S.K. Uyeda Department Store was the first Japanese-owned store to reopen in Little Tokyo after the internment of 120,000 Americans of Japanese Ancestry during World War II.
Mikawaya
(1910 -)
365 East First Street
Mikawaya now known worldwide for its ice cream novelty “Mochi Ice Cream” began its operations here in 1910 with Ryuzaburo Hashimoto. In 1925, his wife Haru moved the store to 117 North San Pedro Street. Today, Mikawaya is in its second generation of family ownership under the direction of Frances Hashimoto.
Yamato Hall
(1916 – 1940)
Formerly 325 Jackson Street
The three-story structure was an important center of cultural, educational and social activities in pre-World War II Little Tokyo. Its auditorium was used for Nisei Week talent contests, dance recitals and lectures. Between 1917 and 1923, it served as temporary quarters for the Nishi Hongwanji Temple before its move to First Street and Central Avenue. It housed the Rafu Nichi Bei newspaper (1922), the Sangyo Nippo newspaper (1937), and on its top floor the infamous Yamato (later Tokyo) Club which offered gambling among its recreational activities.
Cobra Club
(1942 - 1945)
300 East First Street
With the forced evacuation of 120,000 Americans of Japanese Ancestry during World War II, Little Tokyo came to be known as “Bronzeville” as many Black-owned businesses opened. Charlie Parker, Roy Milton and Dizzy Gillespie were among the jazz greats who played at the Cobra Club, which operated here during the war years.
Japanese Union Church of Los Angeles
(1923 - 1975)
120 Judge John Aiso Street (formerly San Pedro Street)
This three-story brick structure opened in 1923 as the combined effort of three congregations, the Los Angeles Presbyterian Church (est. 1905), the Los Angeles Congregational Church (est. 1908), and the Japanese Bethlehem Congregational Church of Los Angeles (est. 1911). During World War II, it was used as a processing center for Americans of Japanese Ancestry sent to internment camps. The church building was used as a Black community center until 1949 when it was returned to the congregation. It remained an active center of Japanese American community activity until it was purchased by the City of Los Angeles in the mid-1960s as part of its redevelopment plan for Little Tokyo. The church was relocated to Third and San Pedro Streets in 1976.