Bainbridge Gardens History

In 1908, Zenhichi Harui came to Bainbridge Island from Japan and started growing plants and flowers in his small garden.

As the garden grew, it eventually included sculptured trees and fountains and lily pad-covered pools with goldfishes swimming under bonsai pines. The gardens blossomed into a well-known attraction for garden lovers throughout the area.

Many travelled far to see Mr. Harui's splendid gardens. But the gardens were deserted in the early 1940's during the war,

Bainbridge Gardens Circa 1920

when Mr. Harui and his family were forced to leave with many thousands of other Japanese-Americans. Although friends tried to sustain it, the Harui family returned to a nursery beyond restoration.

Bainbridge Gardens today...