| Description |
Japantown was located in Salt Lake City,Utah from South Temple to 400 south from 700 west to State Street. Japantown formed as a result of Japanese immigrants coming to Utah to work in the railroad, agricultural, and mining industry. Many Japanese immigrants settled in Japantown or often visited Japantown. This led to a formation of businesses, community spaces, retail, multi-ethnic housing, schools, and streets with festivals. Salt Lake City was once a visually diverse city that was visible through the community in these neighborhoods and included Hispanic-Chicano, Chinese, Greek, and Italian communities amongst others. As a result of the Pearl Harbor Attack during World War Two, President Roosevelt had announced Executive Order 9066, stating that all Japanese must be put under question and put into internment camps. Most of the internees were Japanese American Citizens. After the war,when the internees were released, some migrated back to Japantown (what was left of it after the war) having to re-establish life once again. In 1967, Japantown was demolished and was replaced with the convention center known as the Salt Palace Convention Center. There are only two buildings that remain from Japantown; The Church of Christ and the Buddhist Temple, both are located on Japantown street. Japantown street (100 south between 200-300 west) is a small street located behind the convention center. Currently,a new development is planned adjacent to Japantown street, concerning the Japanese community of the impacts of the development on what is left of Japantown. Japantown has shaped the narrative of Salt Lake City and it's community, in conjunction to the other communities mentioned - who share similar stories of displacement and injustice. It is crucial to tell the story of these communities before they are completely gone from our memory. The concept of "out of sight, out mind," is a very real reality in our connection to one another as human beings. By preserving and acknowledging and making such spaces as a visible part of our collective history, we can be true the history of the places we live in. |
