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Danieli/Matsuoka Cabin 700 148th SE
This log cabin was built about 1890 near Phantom Lake. It remained there until 1989 when it was moved to Larsen Lake by the City of Bellevue Parks Department, the current owner. During the early twentieth century, the cabin became a social gathering place. It served as an informal community center before an official one was built. In 1950, John Matsuoka, a Japanese resident who had been forced to move to an internment camp during World War II, rented the homestead and surrounding property and took up truck gardening. He grew celery, carrots, and other vegetables on the low ground and strawberries on the high ground. In 1966, Mr. Matsuoka gave up 152 acres, which remained vacant, and retained the remaining 4 acres to garden as a pastime. By this time, truck gardening for a living was no longer practical. Many farm laborers had gone to work for Boeing, and Mr. Matsuoka's daughters had grown up and were no longer interested in farming. The homestead, although it is only a shell, is a good example of the study unit theme of agriculture. |