West Slope land bought for preservation
A 272-acre ranch in El Dorado County was bought by the American River Conservancy for $3.3 million.
This area near Coloma is thought to be the first North American site settled by Japanese colonists.
A public park and museum are planned.
The former Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Farm Colony was used for silk worm farming and growing rice, tea, stone fruits and bamboo.