Japanese Settlers in the Valley San Luis Valley Museum ~ Alamosa, Colorado
Japanese laborers came to the Valley as early as 1908 to work on the LaVeta/Alamosa Railroad.
More permanent settlers became successful farmers & vegetable growers & formed the S.L.V. Vegetable Packers in 1927. By 1933 there were Japanese residents listed among Valley residents. Among these early settlers were Fujii, Fugimoto, Harrori, Inouye, Katsumoto, Ono, Uyeda, Yoshida, Ogura, Tanaka, & Miyake Families et.al.
Most Japanese Settlers were Buddhist & a Buddhist church was constructed in La Jara in 1937 & was soon followed by other Buddhist churches in Blanca & San Acacio. With time most of the younger Japanese received educations & left agriculture & moved from the Valley. By 1993 the La Jara Buddhist congregation had shrunk to eleven members & was closed in 1994. By the beginning of this century only 38 recorded Japanese families remained.
During World War II many Japanese Americans joined the famed Army's 442 Regimental Combat Team to display their dedication to their new country. Serving in Europe during the war the 442nd attained the honor of being the most decorated unit in the entire U.S. Army!
Japanese Settlers in the Valley San Luis Valley Museum ~ Alamosa, Colorado
Japanese laborers came to the Valley as early as 1908 to work on the LaVeta/Alamosa Railroad.
More permanent settlers became successful farmers & vegetable growers & formed the S.L.V. Vegetable Packers in 1927. By 1933 there were Japanese residents listed among Valley residents. Among these early settlers were Fujii, Fugimoto, Harrori, Inouye, Katsumoto, Ono, Uyeda, Yoshida, Ogura, Tanaka, & Miyake Families et.al.
Most Japanese Settlers were Buddhist & a Buddhist church was constructed in La Jara in 1937 & was soon followed by other Buddhist churches in Blanca & San Acacio. With time most of the younger Japanese received educations & left agriculture & moved from the Valley. By 1993 the La Jara Buddhist congregation had shrunk to eleven members & was closed in 1994. By the beginning of this century only 38 recorded Japanese families remained.
During World War II many Japanese Americans joined the famed Army's 442 Regimental Combat Team to display their dedication to their new country. Serving in Europe during the war the 442nd attained the honor of being the most decorated unit in the entire U.S. Army!