Manzanar WWII Japanese Relocation Camp

During WWII American Citizens of Japanese origin were rounded up, losing homes and livelihoods and moved to relocation camps throughout the USA.

 

One such camp was in the Owens Valley at Manzanar.

 

People were lodged in dormitories with shower and toilet blocks, among other things there was a mess hall, a hospital block, a school, and a building where camouflage netting was produced for the war effort.   

The camp was surrounded by barbed wire and guard towers.

When people first arrived the buildings were draughty and dusty and they had little, if any privacy.   Gradually over the years people were able to make them more comfortable and planted gardens. 

A reconstruction of the barracks where people were housed.

 

A reconstruction of an improved living quarters section.

Inside the mess hall.

The present day visitor centre was the auditorium and, among other things, was used for dances.

We followed the auto tour route which took us to the reservoir,

Inscribed in cement on one section of the reservoir wall was the name and birth and death dates of someone who, I assume, lived in the camp.

As I walked around the reservoir I thought at first this was an Inukshuk, it’s not, as the inscription on the large rock at the bottom is in Japanese.

The permanent memorial at Manzanar.

Manzanar was an interesting and informative place to visit.

 

Have fun, we are!