Day 135: Nippon Hospital, Stockton, California

📌APIA Every Day (135) - The Nippon Hospital situated in Stockton, California, played a crucial role in the local Japanese community, which was one of the largest in the United States in the early 20th century. Constructed through the efforts of the local Japanese association and funded by Tokutaro Matsumoto, a wealthy farmer, the two-story building was established in 1919. Staffed by individuals like G. T. Nakagawa and Joseph F. Ogata, it served the medical needs of the Japanese population, marking an early instance of Japanese Americans entering professional healthcare fields.

In 1922, the hospital was reorganized and renamed the Stockton Hospital, with financing achieved through the sale of 400 shares of stock at $25 each. Another reorganization occurred in 1925, allowing the facility to continue operating for a few more years. However, by around 1930, financial difficulties forced the hospital to close, and the building was repurposed as the Bryant Hotel, which remains its function today. Its association with the ethnic history of Japanese Americans and its role in the community's development contribute to its historical significance, resulting in its listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

LEARN MORE:

National Park Service: Nippon Hospital National Register of Historic Places Form

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