Located at 112 North Central Avenue, the Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple was the first Buddhist temple building constructed in Los Angeles in 1925 and designed by local architect Edgar Cline. In 1942, a Federal order forced sent the temple’s staff to internment camps except for Rev. Julius Goldwater, who had converted to Buddhism before the war. In the 1960s, the temple’s operations were relocated to a new location at First Street and Vignes and the original structure was sold to the City of Los Angeles in 1973. The building was later leased by the Japanese American National Museum and renovated. It was designated as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument and as part of the Little Tokyo Historic District by the National Register of Historic Places. Photograph caption dated December 30, 1944 reads, “The Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, above, one of the largest Japanese temples in Southern California, today is being made ready for the return of Jap residents. Negro tenants who live in the nearby apartment, at left, have been served notice to evacuate by the Rev. Julius A. Goldwater, custodian of the temple.” Visible to the left of the temple is a sign that reads "First Street Clinic. Physicians. Surgeons."
Hompa Hongwanji Los Angeles Betsuin First Street Clinic (Los Angeles, Calif.) Buddhist temples--California--Little Tokyo (Los Angeles) Streets--California--Little Tokyo (Los Angeles) Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments Japanese Americans--Evacuation and relocation, 1942-1945 World War, 1939-1945 Automobiles Traffic signs and signals Street signs Little Tokyo (Los Angeles, Calif.) Los Angeles Evening Herald and Express photographs Herald-Examiner Collection photographs
If you're wondering about permissions and what you can do with this item, a good starting point is the "rights information" on this page. See our terms of use for more tips.
Share your story
Has Calisphere helped you advance your research, complete a project, or find something meaningful? We'd love to hear about it; please send us a message.
