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

Mr. Peckham

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, April 11, 2013

1. Mr. Peckham Marker

Inscription. Because of the Alien Land Laws in California, Mr. Peckham held land in his name for those of Japanese, Chinese, Filipino and other Asian ancestries ... until the oldest native born child in the family turned 21. He would then transfer the land to that child ...

There were many times when my dad would come home with vegetables given to him by his insurance customers and it was too much for just our family and so my mother or he would “bag” the vegetables and I would jump on my bicycle with beans or tomatoes or nappa or whatever and bike it to the Peckham home.

I will be eternally grateful for the stands that Mr. Peckham took because he was berated as a “J__ lover” in the 1930s, 40s and even 50s.

Norman Y. Mineta

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

Location. 37° 20.943′ N, 121° 53.672′ W. Marker is in San Jose, California, in Santa Clara County. It is in Central San Jose. It is at the intersection of North 5th Street and Jackson Street, on the left when traveling north on North 5th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 605 North 5th 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: Nihonmachi (a few steps from this marker); Tom & Mary’s Snack Shop & Dr. Watanabe’s Office

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Taihei Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Issei Voices (within shouting distance of this marker); Jackson Drugs (within shouting distance of this marker); Dobashi Market (within shouting distance of this marker); Kawakami Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Second Buddhist Church (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Jose.

Regarding Mr. Peckham. During World War II, Norman Mineta was detained at the Heart Mountain Interment Camp. After the war he graduated from the University of California, Berkeley. He went on to a distinguished career of public service. Mineta was a Councilman and Mayor of San Jose, U.S. Representative (1975-1995), Secretary of Commerce in the Clinton administration and Secretary of Transportation in the George W. Bush administration. San Jose's Mineta International Airport is named in his honor.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, April 11, 2013

2. Mr. Peckham Marker

The marker is mounted on the left side of the bench.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 857 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 2, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.