The Endangered 8: 2024 

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One of the last working orchards in San Jose is a testament to the ingenuity and perseverance of the Sakauye family, Japanese-Americans who first planted fruit trees here around 1900. After he and his family were unjustly interned at Heart Mountain, Wyoming during World War II, master horticulturalist and civic leader Eiichi Sakauye returned to this family homestead in 1945 and continued living and farming here until his death in 2005. His orchard, gardens, c.1930s home and numerous barns are all threatened with demolition for a new mixed-use housing development and public park slated for the site. Despite acknowledging the historic significance of these resources, neither the City nor the developer have agreed to incorporate any of the historic orchards or structures into the new development or park.

UPDATE AUGUST 2024: On August 13th, San José City Council unanimously approved the “0 Seely Avenue Mixed Use Project,” but not before strongly encouraging the developer and the City’s Parks Department to preserve the historic Sakauye Farmstead within the development area or through an off-site relocation to History Park. PAC*SJ has been advocating for on-site preservation since March of 2022, and we are incredibly grateful to Vice Mayor Rosemary Kamei for her supportive memorandum and her impassioned advocacy for preserving the farmstead in place. As Kamei wrote, “The significance of the site rests in where it is, and in what happened there. Maintaining a clear, abiding, and thought-provoking connection to the history of this place is a valuable public exercise in its own right.”

While the City Council’s adopted action does not alone guarantee that the Sakauye House will be saved, the developers publicly accepted a stay of demolition of at least six months to allow City staff and preservation advocates to continue to explore preservation alternatives. The council's new direction is encouraging, but it's clear that the Sakauye Farmstead is still very much in danger. PAC*SJ remains committed to working with the developers, City staff, Japanese American Museum of San Jose, and History San Jose to develop a preservation plan that protects and respects the history and character of this incredibly important site.

MEDIA COVERAGE

Costar.com, "Can this old house be part of new apartment complex? Officials try a new development approach," Sept. 11, 2024.

KPIX/CBS News Bay Area, "Preservationists hope to preserve historic Silicon Valley farm from development," Sept. 3, 2024 

AsAm News, "Historic Japanese American home may be saved from demolition," Aug. 30, 2024.

NBC Bay Area, "Historic San Jose home faces uncertain future," August 22, 2024.

San Jose Spotlight, "Historic Japanese farmhouse in San Jose will be saved," August 20, 2024.

KQED, "San José Council OKs Development of Historic Japanese American Farm for Housing," August 14, 2024.

KQED, "Historic Japanese American Family Farm is About to Fade into Much-Needed Housing in San Jose," August 9, 2024

San Jose Spotlight, "San Jose development advances despite historical significance," July 2, 2024

Nichi Bei News, "Redevelopment of Sakauye farm could demolish potentially significant farm house," March 5, 2024