Did you know that at the corner of South Main Street and 6th Avenue South in Seattle, there stands a historic hotel that holds within its walls the echoes of a community torn apart 80 years ago? This hotel, known as the Panama Hotel and Tea Room, is a living time capsule of Seattle’s history, particularly the experiences of the Japanese community during the World War II era. Built in 1910, this SRO hotel (single room occupancy) served as a thriving hub for transient workers and immigrants, offering them affordable housing and a tight-knit community. Designed by the first Asian architect in Seattle and built by a Japanese businessman, the Panama Hotel stood as a symbol of resilience and defiance in the face of discriminatory laws that forbade Japanese ownership of property. Today, the hotel remains a testament to the resilience of the community and the importance of preserving collective memory.
Step through the doors of the Panama Hotel and you’ll be transported back in time, surrounded by the remnants of a bygone era. The walls are adorned with old photographs and memorabilia, showcasing the vibrant Japanese community that once thrived in the surrounding neighborhood. In the basement, where the hotel’s tenants temporarily stored their belongings before being forcibly removed and incarcerated during WWII, you’ll find piles of unclaimed suitcases, satchels, and boxes. It’s a poignant sight, a Pompeii-like snapshot of a disaster, gathering dust and waiting patiently to be remembered. The hotel has now been designated a Seattle Landmark and is protected on the National Register of Historic Places. It serves not only as a hotel, Airbnb, and tea house, but also as a shrine to a wounded community and a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving history.
The History of the Panama Hotel
Introduction to the Panama Hotel
Located at the corner of South Main Street and 6th Avenue South of the Chinatown International Historic District in Seattle, the Panama Hotel is a significant landmark with a rich history. Built in 1910, it served as a single room occupancy (SRO) hotel, providing affordable housing to transient workers and immigrants. Designed by the first Asian architect in Seattle, Sabro Ozasa, and constructed by Japanese businessman Ushitar Ota, the Panama Hotel was a symbol of the growing Japanese community in the area. This article will explore the design and construction of the Panama Hotel, its features, and its survival through challenging times.
Design and Construction of the Panama Hotel
The Panama Hotel was a marvel of architectural and engineering excellence, designed to cater specifically to the needs of the Japanese community. With 90 rooms and hot and cold running water in every room, it provided comfortable and convenient accommodations. Designed by Sabro Ozasa, a Japanese immigrant, the hotel represented an opportunity for the Japanese community to create a space of their own in the bustling city of Seattle. Despite facing restrictions on property ownership, Japanese businessman Ushitar Ota took on the construction of the Panama Hotel, showcasing the determination and resilience of the community.
Features of the Panama Hotel
One of the standout features of the Panama Hotel was its public bathhouse, which was open to both men and women. This bathhouse became a beloved community gathering place and acted as the first stop for new arrivals from Japan. The hotel’s baths provided a sense of familiarity and comfort in a new land, allowing individuals to connect and build a community. In addition to its bathhouse, the Panama Hotel also offered other amenities not commonly found in SRO hotels, such as 24-hour access to hot and cold running water in every room.
Surviving the Great Depression
The Panama Hotel faced its fair share of challenges, including the Great Depression of the 1930s. The economic downturn affected many businesses, including SRO hotels. However, the Panama Hotel managed to weather the storm and continue serving the community. Its affordability and convenient location made it a popular choice for individuals struggling to make ends meet during the difficult economic period, solidifying its place as a resilient institution within the neighborhood.
Impact of Executive Order 9066
The Panama Hotel’s history took a devastating turn following the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. In February 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066, which led to the incarceration of people of Japanese ancestry on the West Coast. This order required Japanese-Americans, most of whom were US citizens, to leave their homes and businesses and be relocated to internment camps and relocation centers. The manager of the Panama Hotel, Takashi Hori, allowed Japantown residents to store their belongings in the hotel’s basement before they were forcibly removed. However, many of these possessions were never reclaimed by their owners, leaving a poignant and lasting reminder of the community’s displacement and loss.
The Panama Hotel as a Time Capsule
Takashi Hori’s Role in Preserving Artifacts
Takashi Hori, the manager of the Panama Hotel, played a crucial role in preserving the artifacts left behind in the hotel’s basement. When he returned from internment camp himself, he sought to reunite the possessions with their owners. However, many individuals no longer wanted their belongings or never returned for them. As a result, the basement of the Panama Hotel became a repository of items left untouched for over eight decades.
The Basement Repository
The basement of the Panama Hotel serves as a time capsule, holding the physical remnants of a community abruptly uprooted and displaced. The untouched artifacts gather dust, creating a powerful symbol of the tragedy that the community endured and the collective trauma experienced during the war years. It is a physical representation of a Pompeii-like image, frozen in time and ignored by the rest of the population for far too long.
Artifacts Found in the Basement
Exploring the basement of the Panama Hotel reveals a treasure trove of forgotten objects. Among the artifacts are unclaimed suitcases, satchels, boxes, flannel shirts folded and ready to wear, coffee tins, tools, and furniture. Each item tells a story of the individuals and families who once inhabited the Panama Hotel and formed a vibrant community within its walls. Scholars have cataloged and tagged these artifacts, allowing for deeper insights into the lives and experiences of those affected by the incarceration.
Importance of Memory and Resilience
The basement of the Panama Hotel serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of memory and resilience. It captures a moment in time that must not be forgotten or overlooked. By acknowledging the collective trauma and honoring the legacies of the community, the Panama Hotel stands as a living testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Ownership and Preservation of the Panama Hotel
Jan Johnson’s Acquisition of the Panama Hotel
In the 1980s, artist Jan Johnson acquired the Panama Hotel from Takashi Hori. Recognizing the historical significance of the building, she took on the role of preserving its legacies. Johnson not only maintained the hotel’s operation but also dedicated herself to protecting and honoring the artifacts and memories contained within its walls.
Current Functions of the Panama Hotel
Today, the Panama Hotel continues to serve as a hotel, tea house, and Airbnb. Visitors can experience the history of the building firsthand by staying in one of its rooms or enjoying a cup of tea in the tea house. The preservation efforts carried out by Jan Johnson have transformed the Panama Hotel into a living museum where the past and present intertwine.
Recognition as a Historical Landmark
The Panama Hotel’s historical significance has not gone unnoticed. It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been designated as a Seattle Landmark. The walls of the hotel are adorned with old photos and memorabilia that provide a glimpse into the thriving Japantown community that once thrived in the area. The recognition of the Panama Hotel as a historical landmark ensures that its legacy will be preserved for future generations to appreciate and learn from.
Changes and Challenges Faced by the Panama Hotel
Demolition of SRO Hotels in the District
In the 1960s and 70s, the Panama Hotel faced the same fate as many other SRO hotels in the district – demolition. Rapid urban development and changing societal needs led to the destruction of numerous historic buildings, erasing a significant part of the city’s history. However, the Panama Hotel managed to withstand these changes and continues to stand as a symbol of resilience amidst a rapidly changing landscape.
Development Challenges in the Surrounding Area
The Chinatown International Historic District, along with the Panama Hotel, faces ongoing challenges in terms of development. As the city evolves, developers seek to transform the area to cater to new demands and trends. This poses a threat to the preservation of the neighborhood’s historical and cultural significance. Balancing progress and development with the need to protect and honor the heritage of the Panama Hotel and its surroundings remains an ongoing challenge.
Mr. Hori’s Perspective on the Panama Hotel
Takashi Hori, the former manager of the Panama Hotel, once remarked that the Panama Hotel was much more than just a hotel. It encompassed many layers and served as a time capsule, a living testament to the resilience of a community deeply wounded by the war years. From Hori’s perspective, the Panama Hotel symbolizes the importance of memory and the lasting impact of collective trauma. It stands as a tribute to the strength and endurance of a community that faced immense challenges and persevered.
Exploring the Basement of the Panama Hotel
Closure of the Public Bathhouse
The once-beloved public bathhouse of the Panama Hotel closed its doors in the 1960s. While the hotel continued to operate, the bathhouse’s closure marked the end of an era. The memories and experiences shared within the bathhouse faded, but traces of its existence can still be found in the basement.
Remnants of the Fallout Shelter
During the Cold War, the basement of the Panama Hotel was designated as a fallout shelter. Supplies such as post-apocalyptic crackers and drums of water meant to sustain people in the event of an atomic disaster remain untouched to this day. The remnants of the fallout shelter serve as a reminder of the fears and anxieties that permeated society during that time.
Cataloging and Tagging of Artifacts
Scholars have painstakingly cataloged and tagged the artifacts found in the basement of the Panama Hotel. This diligent work allows for a deeper understanding of the items and their significance to the community. By organizing and documenting these artifacts, scholars facilitate the preservation of the community’s history for future generations.
Insights from Scholars
The excavation of the basement of the Panama Hotel has provided invaluable insights into the lives and experiences of the individuals who once called it home. The artifacts unearthed shed light on the day-to-day existence, interests, and struggles of a community affected by forced displacement and internment. Scholars studying these items help paint a more complete picture of the past and contribute to a greater understanding of the Panama Hotel’s historical significance.
The Panama Hotel as a Symbol of Remembering
The Significance of Collective Memory
The Panama Hotel stands as a testament to the significance of collective memory. It serves as a tangible reminder of the injustices faced by the Japanese community during a dark period in US history. By preserving the artifacts and stories associated with the hotel, the importance of remembering and learning from past mistakes is underscored.
Opportunity for Reflection and Remembrance
Visiting the Panama Hotel provides an opportunity for reflection and remembrance. The artifacts and displays within the hotel allow visitors to connect with the past and gain a deeper appreciation of the struggles and resilience of the community. It is an opportunity to honor the lost histories and ensure that they are not forgotten.
Conclusion
The Panama Hotel stands as a resilient survivor of historical events that deeply impacted the surrounding neighborhood and community. Through its rich history, the hotel embodies the struggles, memories, and resilience of the Japanese community. From its design and construction to its survival through challenging times, the Panama Hotel serves as a living time capsule and a symbol of remembrance. It reminds us of the importance of honoring collective memory, preserving historical legacies, and reflecting on the past to shape a better future.