E.D. Hashimoto and his Japanese Style House at 315 S 1200 East SLC

Hashimoto family house located at 315 S 1200 East SLC

This is the Hashimoto family house located at 315 S 1200 East SLC. It was designed by architect A. J. Hamilton in 1909 for Edward Daigoro Hashimoto (1875-1936) and his family.

E.D. Hashimoto was the nephew of Yozo Yashimoto (see previous post) who brought him over from Japan when E.D. was 15. He was immediately sent to work as a cook for the railroad in Montana. He didn’t last long: first, he didn’t know how to cook, and second, the Yellow Peril Vigilantes drove out and killed most Asians working the railroad. E.D. hid from the vigilantes and then walked to SLC.

In 1902 he established the E. D. Hashimoto company at 163 W South Temple. By then he was known as “Daigoro Sama” (Great Man) to the Japanese and “E.D.” to American business associates. Like his uncle, E.D.’s company supplied Japanese labor, food, and clothing and ran his business out of SLC's old Japantown.

E.D. was involved in other business opportunities including mining, board of directors of Tracy Collins Trust and Bank, and started Red Feather Bus Line which is now Grayhound Bus Lines. He also supplied Mexican labor and was an honorary Mexican consul in Utah.

E.D. built the family house in 1909. E.D. wanted a Japanese-style house on the exterior, hence the curved roofs and shoji-style windows, but the inside was entirely Western and was furnished with Mormon antiques by his wife Lois.

Many dignitaries were hosted in his home including President Taft who visited SLC in Sept 1909. And he often hosted Governor Spry.

The Hashimoto story continues in the next post.

Sources: Peoples of Utah; Japanese Americans in Utah; Oral Histories of Hashimoto family; SL Herald June 3 1909.

E.D. Hashimoto in 1914. From Men of Affairs in Utah.