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In 1903, 50 Japanese farmers settled in present day Boca Raton and Delray Beach, to raise pineapples. This group of
settlers were known as the Yamato Colony. One of these settlers was named George Sukeji Morikami. When the pineapple blight
of 1908 struck, Morikami cultivated more robust crops and prospered as a produce wholesaler. Mr. Morikami also succeeded as
a real estate speculator and investor. In the 1970's, Morikami deeded 40 acres to the state and an adjoining 160 acres
to Palm Beach County, specifying that the land be used as a site for a museum of Japanese culture. Mr. Morikami lived on this
land until his death in 1979. He was 89. This overhead view of the Morikami Museum shows the dramatic roof expanse of this
large facility. (Photo by Smith Aerial Photography, Fort Lauderdale, FL)
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