Central San Jose in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Tom & Mary’s Snack Shop & Dr. Watanabe’s Office

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, January 30, 2012

1. Tom & Mary’s Snack Shop & Dr. Watanabe’s Office Marker

Inscription. The first Japanese American surgeon in San Jose was Dr. Lee Watanabe. His office was above Tom and Mary’s Snack Shop. He was pretty short, but when he was standing on his box doing surgery, he was a giant.
Sue Inouye

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Asian Americans.

Location. 37° 20.93′ N, 121° 53.687′ W. Marker is in San Jose, California, in Santa Clara County. It is in Central San Jose. It is on Jackson Street west of North 5th Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 179 Jackson Street, San Jose CA 95112, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area,

in Silicon Valley,

and on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

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: Jackson Drugs (a few steps from this marker); Mr. Peckham (within shouting distance of this marker); Nihonmachi (within shouting distance of this marker); Gran Oriente Filipino Masonic Lodge (within shouting distance of this marker); Issei Voices (within shouting distance of this marker); Taihei Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Dobashi Market (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hori Midwife House (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Jose.

Additional keywords. Japantown

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Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, January 30, 2012

2. Tom & Mary’s Snack Shop & Dr. Watanabe’s Office Marker

Detail from the Tom & Mary’s Snack Shop & Dr. Watanabe’s Office Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, January 30, 2012

3. Detail from the Tom & Mary’s Snack Shop & Dr. Watanabe’s Office Marker

Current site of Tom & Mary’s Snack Shop & Dr. Watanabe’s Office image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, April 12, 2022

4. Current site of Tom & Mary’s Snack Shop & Dr. Watanabe’s Office

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 11, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,463 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 11, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 4. submitted on April 16, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.