The Matsuoka family farmed land in the Midlakes area, near Northeast 124th Avenue and the current site of the Safeway Distribution Center, growing strawberries, rhubarb and other crops.

Tom Matsuoka was a very prominent and active member of Bellevue’s Japanese community. He was born in Hawaii, but he grew up in Japan. In 1919, he was sent to the United States after completing middle school.

Matsuoka was very involved in the organization of the Bellevue Growers Association, the opening of the Kokaido (Japanese Community Hall) and was the founder of Seinenkai, a Japanese men’s group.  After the Pearl Harbor bombing in 1942, he was taken away by the FBI for questioning.

Like the other Japanese families in Bellevue at this time, the Matsuokas were interned for the duration of the war, first in Missoula, then Pinedale and then Tule Lake. They finally ended up farming beets in Montana.

During WWII their land in Bellevue was farmed by Juan (Johnnie) de los Angeles. The family farmstead burned down during the war, while they were away, so they had no reason to immediately return to Bellevue. The Matsuokas did eventually return to Bellevue, with John Matsuoka farming in the Phantom Lake area until 1966.

Heritage Corner is a feature in the Bellevue Reporter. Material is provided by the Eastside Heritage Center. For more information call 425-450-1049.