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Show Volume XIV Issue XXII The Ogden Valley news Page 11 September 1, 2007 Japanese “J Town” of Ogden By Toni Ushio Note: This article was reprinted from the book “Ogden, Utah: The first 150 Years” printed in 2001 for Ogden’s sesquicentennial. On December 23, 1871, a group of Japanese dignitaries known as the Iwakura delegation left Japan and came to Utah to explore its culture and to get to know its people. They were accompanied by Ambassador and Mrs. Charles DeLong and a few American officials. On February 4, 1872, they arrived in Ogden, then just a small village, intending to change trains, but they were snowed in and had to be escorted by Salt Lake officials to Salt Lake. They stayed at the Townsend House Hotel located at the corner of 1st South and West Temple. The delegation spent 19 days of good will in Salt Lake City because of not being able to travel because of the snow. The Utahns left a positive impression with the Japanese delegation which likely made it easier for immigrant Japanese who began settling in Utah ten years later. In 1885, Japanese immigration laws were relaxed, and the Japanese citizens were allowed to emigrate to other countries. For the first 15 years of the 1900’s, the railroad section gangs were the main source of employment for the Japanese. Ogden was a railroad town. However, the farming instinct of the Japanese led them into farming in Box Elder, Weber, and Salt Lake Counties. They were to produce the nationally acclaimed Sweetheart and Jumbo celery and the 20th Century strawberries, the ever bearing strawberry by Taijiro Kasuga. In 1918, the Japanese Union Christian Church was established in Ogden. During the first delegation’s visit to Utah, they expressed a great interest in how the valley had been settled by the Mormons and wondered why missionaries had not been sent to Japan. Ogden was a railroad town, and on weekday evenings and weekends, railroad workers as well as other people seeking fun and entertainment, would go to 25th Street. In the middle of all this was the Japanese community—part of the businesses as well as part of the scenery. Unbeknownst to the local Japanese people, they were part of the 25th Street culture. “J” town in Ogden (Japan town) was a rectangle bounded by Kiesel Avenue on the east, Wall Avenue on the west, 24th street on the north, and 25th Street on the south. In and around this small area were over 40 businesses that were owned or operated by Japanese businessmen, including Kay’s Noodle Parlor, Utah Noodle, Dave’s Barber Shop, American Eagle Café, and Star Noodle. Businesses opened and closed and people moved in and out, but there was a continuous stream of activity around “J” town. People came from Idaho, Wyoming, and Nevada as well as from all parts of Utah to do commerce as well as socialized and participate in religious activities since there were large and active Buddhist and Christian communities. The first generation Japanese who came to America were not permitted to become U.S. citizens until after World War II. The bravery and courage of the Japanese American soldiers who gave their lives and fought for their country, “The United States of America,” helped change this situation. The Japanese community was very strict and adhered to family discipline and principles. Despite the surroundings and disreputable areas, the children, as a whole, grew up to become educated lawyers, doctors, teachers, businessmen, and generally well respected individuals. Today, 25th Street has been cleaned up and is no longer considered as notorious as in the earlier days. The former inhabitants of “J” town have scattered to many places; it is to their credit that they survived the days of possible bad influence and surroundings, and still retain good memories of “J” town and Ogden’s 25th Street. Historical Photo Women Authors to Address Ogden Audience The Utah Genealogical Society, Ogden Region, will hold its bi-monthly meeting on Saturday, September 22, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. The speakers will be Patricia Lynn Scott and Linda Thatcher whose topic will be, “Our Search for Women in Utah History.” Scott and Thatcher are the editors of the book “Women in Utah History: Paradigm or Paradox?” a collection of twelve historical essays by leading Utah historians. The meeting will be held at the Ogden Regional Family History Center, Room 12 (West Building), 539 24th Street, Ogden, and is free to the public. Call 626-1006 for additional information. First and Second Grade Classes of 1928-29. Front row left to right: Phoebe Fuller (1), Ethel Hogge (2), Myron Chambers (2), Delta Montgomery (1), Burton Chambers (2), Marvel Fuller (1), Mable Fuller (1), Ross Thompson (1), and Kay Robins (2). Second row: Lou Jean Clarke (1), May Wilson (2), Jay Bachman (2), May Chambers (2), Don Thompson (2), Melvin Eggleston (1), Lucille Grow (2), and Blaine Adams (1). Second row: Glen Fuller (2), Fred Robins (2), Elmer Storey (2), James Montgomery (2), Dave Adams (2), Laura Eggleston (2), and Una Montgomery (2). Back row: Teacher -Virginia McEntire (Stallings). Photo courtesy of Ned Clark. Celeste C. Canning PLLC CCD Classes Begin September 30 Attorney at Law 2590 Washington Boulevard, Suite 200 Ogden, Utah 84401 Local: (801) 791-1092 Office: (801) 612-9299 Email: ccanninglaw@aol.com Meeting the Legal Needs of Small Business and Their Owners FREE Initial Thirty Minute Consultation. Appointments in Ogden Valley upon request. |