Riverside in Riverside County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Harada House

1884

— Cultural Heritage Board Landmark —

Harada House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, 2017

1. Harada House Marker

Inscription.
This house was purchased in 1915 by local restaurant proprietor Jukichi Harada in the names of his three American-born minor children. It was remodeled and expanded to two stories in 1916. The question of legal ownership of this house resulted in the first test -- and successful challenge -- of the 1913 California Alien Land Law which prohibited aliens from legally owning property in the state. Jukichi Harada died in 1944.

Erected 1977 by City of Riverside. (Marker Number 23.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Civil Rights • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the National Historic Landmarks series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.

Location. 33° 59.109′ N, 117° 22.15′ W. Marker is in Riverside, California, in Riverside County. It is on Lemon Street north of 4th Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3356 Lemon St, Riverside CA 92501, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in

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Greater Los Angeles,

in the Inland Empire,

and in the Peninsular Ranges.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mitchell House (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Church of Christ Scientist (approx. 0.2 miles away); William Collier House (approx. ¼ mile away); Meet Me at the Cheech (approx. ¼ mile away); John J. Hewitt House (approx. ¼ mile away); Style and Grace of a Golden Era (approx. ¼ mile away); Riverside Municipal Auditorium (approx. ¼ mile away); Universalist-Unitarian Church (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Riverside.

Regarding Harada House. Jukichi Harada emigrated from Japan during the early 1900’s. He purchased this house in 1915 and placed ownership in the hands of his three minor children, who were natural-born United States citizens. This was because

Harada House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, 2017

2. Harada House and Marker

immigrants from Japan were prevented from owning property by the California Alien Land Law of 1913. After the purchase, neighboring property owners attempted to drive the Haradas out, without success. State authorities then filed suit against the children to bring it into state ownership in 1916. In 1918, Superior Court Judge Hugh Craig upheld the right of the children to own the house. In 1942 the Harada family was sent to Japanese internment camps, where both Jukichi Harada and his wife died. During their internment, a Caucasian friend of the family occupied the house, and the family was able to retain ownership. In the years after the war, Sumi Harada, one of the three children, took over the house and boarded other Japanese families who had lost their homes during their internment. The house became a City of Riverside Landmark in 1977 and a National Historic Landmark in 1990. In 2004 the house was given to the Riverside Metropolitan Museum. In 2020 it was designated California Historical Landmark No. 1060.

Also see . . .
1. Landmarks of the City of Riverside (#23). (Submitted on June 6, 2026, by Volt Craft of Riverside, California.)
2. National Park Service: Harada House.

National Historic Landmark image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, 2017

3. National Historic Landmark

(Submitted on June 26, 2026, by Volt Craft of Riverside, California.)

Harada Family in 1905 image. Click for full size.

courtesy Riverside Metropolitan Museum

4. Harada Family in 1905

Headlines — 1916 Lawsuit image. Click for full size.

courtesy Riverside Metropolitan Museum

5. Headlines — 1916 Lawsuit

Photo shows the house before the second floor was added.

Departure Date written on bedroom wall image. Click for full size.

courtesy Riverside Metropolitan Museum

6. Departure Date written on bedroom wall

“Evacuated on May 23, 1942 Sat - HH” [Harold Harada]

Harada House image. Click for full size.

National Register of Historic Places, 1977

7. Harada House

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 1,306 times since then and 38 times this year. Last updated on June 20, 2026, by Volt Craft of Riverside, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 14, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 7. submitted on June 26, 2026, by Volt Craft of Riverside, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.