Historic Wintersburg, National Treasure architectural site in Huntington Beach, United States.
Historic Wintersburg is a collection of six structures spread across a 4.5-acre property, including a 1910 Japanese Presbyterian Mission building, a residence for the minister, and a 1934 church. The main buildings and cottages together form an architectural grouping that reflects early Japanese American settlement patterns.
The property was established in 1908 when Reverend Hisakichi Terasawa and Charles Mitsuji Furuta purchased the land to create a settlement for Japanese immigrants. This timing proved significant because within five years, California's discriminatory Alien Land Laws would restrict Japanese people from owning land.
The mission served as a gathering place where the Japanese American community maintained their religious practices and language traditions. These spaces allowed families to stay connected to their heritage while building new lives in California.
The property can be visited, but accessibility depends on current ownership, so checking visiting conditions in advance is recommended. The location in Huntington Beach makes the site relatively easy to reach, and visitors should allow time to explore the different buildings and the surrounding grounds.
Charles Furuta operated one of the area's first goldfish farms and managed to retain ownership despite California's 1913 Alien Land Laws that targeted Japanese landowners. His ability to maintain this business despite legal restrictions demonstrates the resilience of Japanese American entrepreneurs during this period.
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