Anchorage Kimura Family Story
Our story begins, one afternoon, long ago.
Somewhere between the newsreel and the main movie, I sat there, a young boy in the 4th Avenue Theater, when an ad filled the screen.
The first thing I noticed was that it was for a local Anchorage business. I had heard the name, “Snow White Laundry and Cleaners” many times before, but knew nothing about them. I became fascinated as I watched their movie theater ad.
Snow White Laundry and Cleaners got its humble start back in 1915.
Welcome to Anchorage, Alaska around 1914, 1915 and 1916. It was nothing more than a “tent city” that sprang up around the mouth of Ship Creek. And it was only there, because of the Alaska Railroad.
“Harry” Kimura and his wife Katsuki moved from Seattle to that tent city that would become Anchorage, Alaska. They took over a small hand laundry from a relative, and gave it the name, H&K Hand Laundry. It was located near 5th Avenue and C Street.
By the way, there was no running water. Harry and Katsuki had to hall water from Ship Creek.
Chop Suey House
Then, as if he didn’t have enough to do, Harry opened the Chop Suey House in a small building next door to the laundry.
Yes, You Can Share this Edition
Would your friends and family enjoy learning about the early history of Anchorage?
When you do, they will be so happy that they will take you out for the dinner of your choice at your favorite restaurant… well, it could happen.
The Kimura family grew to include:
Sam, who went on to become a professional photographer and taught at the University of Anchorage, Alaska for 23 years. His wife, Joan, an Anchorage artist, designed the seal for the city of Anchorage. William “Bill” Kimura, who became a painter, sculptor, and teacher. And George, who ran Kimura restaurants like the Golden Pheasant Café and Nikko Garden.
World War II
In 1941, Harry Kimura was locked in a barracks at Anchorage’s Fort Richardson as part of America’s wartime “internment” program.
During that time, his son George was in basic training and was given MP duty outside that same detention center.
At some point, the Kimura family left Anchorage.
Snow White Laundry and Cleaners
Following World War II, the Kimuras returned to Anchorage and expanded their H&K Hand Laundry into Snow White Laundry and Cleaners.
Along the way, they also opened a restaurant called “The Golden Pheasant Café” on D Street between 4th and 5th Avenues.
Nikko Garden
Opened in 1966 and located on Spenard Road near Spenard Lake, Nikko Garden was Anchorage’s finest Oriental restaurant.
It quickly became, “the” place to go in Anchorage.
A Very Special Note:
For many years, Mary and I celebrated our wedding anniversary with dinner in one of those memorable private rooms in Nikko Garden.
Today, that restaurant location is but a fond memory for so many Alaskans.
In 1979, Nikko Garden burned down.
Mike, of the Anchorage Memories Club, was a news videographer for KTVA, channel 11 at the time and following the fire. Mike was assigned to go inside and shoot video of the charred remains.
“I remember the strange, tragic sight of the pond that ran the length of the restaurant.
It was covered with black soot and burnt debris was floating in the once beautiful water.”
Now, even though it’s gone, we will always have the wonderful memories of that fine Kimura restaurant.
Nikko Garden – Gwennie’s Connection
Pictured above are Gwennie Thorton and George Kimura.
BONUS
Anchorage Memories wrote a story about Gwennie’s Old Alaskan Restaurant in Spenard.
Take a look at Gwennie’s Restaurant, In Her Own Words, and enjoy.
Gwennie told us that when she and her mother first came to Anchorage, they rented an apartment from the Kimura family and got to know them.
Then one evening, many years later, Gwennie decided to drive down Spenard road from her Old Alaska Restaurant and visit Nikko Garden.
When she walked into the restaurant and George Kimura saw her, he nearly fainted because he hadn’t seen her in so many years.
BONUS
You can learn more about this remarkable Anchorage pioneer family.
Take a kook at the Anchorage’s Kimura Family and discover.
From Our North Stars (that’s you)
Juanita sent us this comment:
“I’ve learned a lot about my hometown, and you’ve jogged memories of things I haven’t thought about for years. I can only say YAY!”
Diana had this to say:
”Well done, and thank you for the trip down memory lane”.
From our look at Anchorage Movie Theatres.
Patti shared this memory:
“I remember going to the movies as a kid at the old 4th Avenue Theater. You could watch a movie for a cereal box top and 10-25 cents on Saturday.”
BONUS
Take a look at Anchorage Movie Theatre Memories and enjoy.
Connect with Mike and Mary
Do you remember Nikko Garden? Do you know anyone in the Kimura family?
You can send us your comments:
You can also reply to this email, or you can Contact Us right here.
Until Next Time
Mike and Mary
Anchorage Memories Club