Filipino American

When the Philippines became a US Territory in 1898, many Filipinos came searching for jobs and educational opportunities. The first known Filipino in Washington Territory worked at the Port Blakely Mill on Bainbridge Island.

In the early 1900s, Filipino men worked as pickers and field bosses for local Japanese American farmers. They organized a Filipino Grower’ Association, bought Island farms and businesses, and purchased property to establish a Filipino American Community Hall, which is still a gathering place for meetings and celebrations.

Today, a vibrant Filipino American community contributes to the culture and economy of the Island.