LANDMARK DESIGNATION & PRESERVATION

Reminders of monuments and people

Historic designation is critical in protecting and preserving Japanese American history. The Little Tokyo Historical Society works consistently to protect and preserve Japanese American history with the City of Los Angeles,  the California State Office of Historic Preservation, and the National Park Service. It is an intensive process of research, presentation, and discussion - all well worth the effort to give our history the care and value it deserves.

National Historic Landmark

Little Tokyo Historic National Landmark District

Little Tokyo Historic National Landmark District is a historic Japanese commercial district in downtown Los Angeles, California. Before World War II, Little Tokyo was the largest Japanese community in the United States. This District represents the oldest commercial and cultural center of historic Little Tokyo (1905- 1942). It is the second largest of 11 National Landmarks in the City of Los Angeles. The California Art Council selected Little Tokyo National Historic Landmark District in 2017 as one of 14 California Cultural Districts.

• National Historic Landmark Application

• Little Tokyo Historic National Landmark District Website

• California Cultural Districts Website

• First Street North

National Register of Historic Places

Former Japanese Hospital (NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE)

For early Issei immigrants, access to medical care was limited. The Japanese Hospital opened in the Boyle Heights neighborhood near Little Tokyo in 1929 after five Issei doctors sued the State of California through the state courts and finally won before the United States Supreme Court in the Jordan vs. Tashiro case. The National Register Application was later prepared based on its HCM application of November 2016.

The project coordinators were Mike Okamura & Kristen Hayashi for the property located at 101 S. Fickett Street, Boyle Heights/Los Angeles.

• National Register Eligible Application

Related Galleries and News

Los Angeles City’s Historic Cultural Monuments (HCM)

• Nishiyama Residence/Otomisan Restaurant - HCM #1250

  • Los Angeles City Historical Cultural Monument Application

• Ozawa Boarding House/Obayashi Employment Agency and Joyce Boarding House/Ozawa Residence

  • Los Angeles City Historical Cultural Monument Application

• Sakai-Kozawa Residence/Tokio Florist & Pole Sign - HCM #1198

  • Los Angeles City Historical Cultural Monument Application

• Japanese Hospital HCM#1131

  • Los Angeles City Historical Cultural Monument Application

• Tuna Canyon Detention Station - HCM #1039

  • Los Angeles City Historical Cultural Monument Application

• Hauerwaas-Kusuyanagi Residence - HCM # 990

  • Los Angeles City Historical Cultural Monument Application

• Griffith Park Interment Site - HCM #942

  • Los Angeles City Historical Cultural Monument Application

• Aoyama Tree HCM #920

  • Los Angeles City Historical Cultural Monument Application

• Holiday Bowl - HCM #688

  • Los Angeles City Historical Cultural Monument Application

• Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple - HCM #313

  • Los Angeles City Historical Cultural Monument Application

• Japanese Union Church of Los Angeles - HCM #312

  • Los Angeles City Historical Cultural Monument Application

• Manzanar - HCM #160

  • Los Angeles City Historical Cultural Monument Application

• Ethel Guiberson/Hannah Carter Japanese Garden - HCM #114

  • Los Angeles City Historical Cultural Monument Application

Asian American Historic Context Statements and Surveys

These documents contain potential historic and certification sites.

• Survey of LA’s Asian Americans in Los Angeles Historic Contexts (2018)

• National Register of Historic Places MPDF, "Asian Americans in Los Angeles, 1850-1980" Scroll to Section E, page 7.