Eng, Jim and Betty, House
historic place
In Seattle, Washington's King County, stands the historic Eng Family Homestead. This house, erected in 1937, is located at 611 8th Avenue South in the Chinatown-International District. The Suen King Eng family built and owned this home for over 80 years, operating a basement bean sprout business from the residence. Its construction in 1937 occurred despite the Chinese Exclusion Act and widespread housing discrimination, which often prevented Chinese immigrants from owning property in many neighborhoods. To navigate these restrictions, the family built the house from concrete to blend with industrial surroundings and deeded it to their eight-year-old American-born son. The home housed three generations of the Eng family. The Wing Luke Museum acquired the property in 2021, planning to preserve and restore it for guided immersion tours and exhibits. The Eng Family Homestead is significant for illustrating the resilience and pioneering spirit of Chinese American families in Seattle.