Downtown Seattle in King County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
Reclaiming our Roots
A Brief History of Japanese Americans In Seattle
| | Legacy of Justice at Hirabayashi Place | |
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, February 20, 2026
1. Reclaiming our Roots Marker
A new generation of Japanese Americans came of age in the 1960s and 70s -- in a nation transformed by Civil Rights campaigns, anti-war protests, and other social movements. Inspired by African American activists and their own community elders, young Asian Americans began to fight for Ethnic Studies classes at their universities, and for the economic and cultural survival of their neighborhoods. Sansei third-generation Japanese Americans began to question their elders about the wartime incarceration. Many in the community came to see this injustice as a central issue, a wrong that needed to be righted.
[Captions:]
Buses from Seattle headed to the Puyallup fairgrounds in 1978 for first Day of Remembrance commemorating the wartime incarceration of Japanese Americans. Courtesy of the Wing Luke Museum.
Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians hearing in Seattle, 1981. Hundreds of detainees testified about their experiences during the war; for some this was the first time they had spoken about the incarceration. The Commission recommended a presidential apology and financial redress. National Archives and Records Administration photo, courtesy of Densho.
Community protest against construction of Kingdone, c. 1972. Courtesy of Dean Wong.
Community protest against construction of Kingdone, c. 1972. Courtesy of Eugene Tagawa.
Taiko drummers at a protest against stadium construction in the neighborhood. Drawing by Amy Nikaitani, from historic photo courtesy of Wing Luke Museum.
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Civil Rights • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1978.
Location. 47° 36.009′ N, 122° 19.727′ W. Marker is in Seattle, Washington, in King County. It is in Downtown Seattle. It is at the intersection of South Main Street and 4th Avenue South, on the right when traveling west on South Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 220 4th Ave S, Seattle WA 98104, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Washington’s Puget Sound Region. It is also on the American Pacific Coast, in the Pacific Northwest, and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, in the Cascade Range, in the Inside Passage, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Vindication, Healing, and the Legacy of Justice (here, next to this marker); A Community Takes Root (here, next
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, February 20, 2026
2. Reclaiming our Roots Marker
This marker is number six of seven numbered markers. It faces South Main Street at the corner of South Main and 4th Avenue.
Also see . . . Hirabayashi Place (#19).
Although completed in early 2016, Hirabayashi Place is a building that merges the past to the present with a call to the future. Built by InterIm CDA, this seven-story, 96-unit affordable housing project provides a new anchor for Nihonmachi along its western edge.(Submitted on March 26, 2026, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon.)
The building is named in honor of Gordon Hirabayashi. While many Japanese Americans during World War II demonstrated their loyalty to America by serving in the U.S. military, Hirabayashi fought to uphold American values rooted in the U.S. Constitution by defying the evacuation order and curfew. He was arrested and jailed for his actions and fought a long but successful court battle to overturn his convictions and clear his name.
Legacy of Justice installations of public art and interpretive elements interweave throughout the building, anchored by a 10′ tall by 8′ artwork by Roger Shimomura, depicting various icons pertaining to Hirabayashis life and influence. Start with this artwork located at the south entrance, then explore the buildings outside along Main Street and 4th Avenue for more.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2026, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 26, 2026, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
