Ohki Alley

Ohki Alley is named after Mr. Shinzo Ohki, a Japanese immigrant, artist and businessman who came to Columbia City in the early years of the 1900s. Coming by a rather circuitous route, he came first to Seattle at the age of 13, having earned traveling funds by working for his uncle in Japan. Arriving in Seattle, Mr. Ohki made the acquaintance of Mr. and Mrs. Distan, Columbia City residents. Mr. Ohki became houseboy for the family, as they all traveled to Sitka, Alaska, for Mr. Distan's work., Mr. Ohki later returned to Columbia City with the Distan family and made his home with them. He graduated from Columbia City High School in 1907. After college, Mr. Ohki returned to Japan to marry his wife, Taka, whom he called "the girl next door." Taking up residence in Columbia City, the first known residence of the couple was 344 N Main Street. The couple later purchased a two story home, on several acres, near Crooked Lake. Mr. Ohki built a business that residents of Columbia City and Whitley County still reminiscence about. The Oriental Shoyu Factory, often called "Show You," located on Factory Avenue, Columbia City, made fermented soy sauce, mung bean sprouts, chow mein noodles, chop suey and Jiggs' corn beef and cabbage. It was one of the first fermented soy sauce factories in the US.