HUNTINGTON BEACH – The Japanese dignitaries found shelter from an afternoon downpour in a century-old barn, marveled at the remnants of antique wallpaper preserved in a broken-down bungalow and listened to stories of farming, faith and family that illustrate early Japanese-American life in Orange County.
The Consulate General of Japan, the Japan American Society and the Orange County Japanese American Association are among the most recent groups to take an interest in the 5-acre Wintersburg site at Warner Avenue and Nichols Lane.
Historic Wintersburg is home to the oldest Japanese Presbyterian Church in Southern California, a mission, family home and bungalow, among other structures.
The site was purchased by Rainbow Environmental Services in 2004 after the site was threatened with development. Now, the Historic Wintersburg Preservation Task force with the help of the city and Rainbow are looking to save the site.
Japanese Consulate General Jun Niimi and other dignitaries visited the site Friday – one year after the effort to preserve Wintersburg was launched.
Mary Urashima, chairwoman of the Historic Wintersburg Preservation Task Force, said she hopes the visits by Niimi and others will spark interest in the site among the Japanese community and help in the effort to find donors.
“This is the one year anniversary of trying to tell the story of Historic Wintersburg,” Urashima said. “We recognize we can’t do this on our own so we’re looking for guidance and support to help us in our efforts to preserve these buildings.”
Urashima led the group around the grounds on Friday telling stories of farmer Charles Furuta and his family. She spoke of the lily business, celery trade and the gardens that once surrounded the grounds.
“I am very impressed with these houses and I’m very impressed with the story of the Furuta family … and the faith of the Furuta family,” Niimi said.
Although the buildings are dilapidated, they have a rich history that Urashima said can be resurrected and enjoyed by the community.
“In a sense, it’s a historical district,” Urashima said. “It’s a bit of a miracle that they are still here.”
Contact the writer: 714-796-7953 or jfletcher@ocregister.com