Temporary Assembly Centers

In spring 1942, the Wartime Civil Control Administration (WCCA) hastily prepared temporary "assembly centers" to house the individuals of Japanese ancestry who were removed from their homes after the signing of Executive Order 9066. The centers were surrounded by barbed-wire fences and patrolled by armed military police. People were housed in animal stalls and barracks with communal bathrooms and mess halls. After spending up to six months in the "assembly centers," Japanese Americans were moved inland to permanent concentration camps.

World War II (231)
Temporary Assembly Centers (231)

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231 items

vh An Oral History with Norman Y. Mineta - Segment 1 (ddr-csujad-29-55-1)

Japanese American congressman, representing the Thirteenth Congressional District of California, born and raised in San Jose, California, discusses his early life, graduation from the University of California, Berkeley, and receiving a commission and serving in the armed forces from 1953-1956. Recalls the removal, "relocation," and incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II at the Heart …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-29-55-1/

doc The Northwest Times Vol. 3 No. 1 (January 1, 1949) (ddr-densho-229-168)

"Saints Win Second Straight Cage Crown" (p. 1), "Beauty of Yakima Valley Charms Wapato Returnees" (p. 3), "Evacuees Like Three Key Cities of Northwest" (p. 3)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-229-168/

doc Letter to Robert "Bobby" Sandquist from Emil Sandquist (ddr-densho-452-2)

The letter is from Emil Sandquist containing well wishes to his son Robert "Bobby" Sandquist. Emil tells Bobby to take care of his mom and wishes Bobby could play with the Japanese boys at the Portland Assembly Center. The letter is written in English and translated into Japanese by Reverend Francis M. Hayashi.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-452-2/

img Free the Prisoner board game and instructions (ddr-densho-452-1)

Game was crafted in the Portland Assembly Center for the camp director's son, Robert "Bobby" Sandquist. The "Father" piece is missing from the game.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-452-1/

doc Portland Jap Center Now Houses 2,849 (May 21, 1942) (ddr-densho-56-805)

The Seattle Daily Times, May 21, 1942, p. 3

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-805/

doc Letter from Kikuye Masuda to Mrs. Charles Gates (ddr-densho-211-4)

Letter from Kikuye Masuda to Mrs. Charles Gates about relocation to Southeastern Idaho.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-211-4/

img Woman standing in a barracks doorway at Tanforan Assembly Center (ddr-densho-22-444)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-22-444/

img Japanese Americans arriving at Arcadia from San Pedro (ddr-densho-22-439)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-22-439/

img Woman sitting in the doorway of her Assembly Center barracks (ddr-densho-22-447)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-22-447/

img Men sitting outside a barracks (ddr-densho-22-445)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-22-445/

img Luggage arriving at an Assembly Center (ddr-densho-22-436)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-22-436/

img Family inside of their Assembly Center barracks (ddr-densho-22-448)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-22-448/

img View of Santa Anita Assembly Center (ddr-densho-22-438)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-22-438/

img View of Assembly Center barracks (ddr-densho-22-446)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-22-446/

img Japanese American Soldiers - Assembly Centers_part 1 folder. (ddr-densho-22-443)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-22-443/

img Unloading luggage at an Assembly Center (ddr-densho-22-442)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-22-442/

img View of Santa Anita Assembly Center (ddr-densho-22-437)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-22-437/

doc Japs to Be Put on Reservation (April 16, 1942) (ddr-densho-56-757)

The Seattle Daily Times, April 16, 1942, p. 2

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-757/

doc Longacres to House Evacuees (April 2, 1942) (ddr-densho-56-740)

The Seattle Daily Times, April 2, 1942, p. 20

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-56-740/

doc Letter from George Kida to mother Miyuki "Kay" Kida (ddr-one-3-25)

Letter and envelope to Miyuki "Kay" Kida from George Kida. Describes work opportunities, conditions in the camp and surrounding area. Kenjiro is picking up potatoes and George is pitching bundles. Mentions someone named Satoshi (who he mentioned having bought a checker board with in a previous letter) who he is becoming friends with. Mentions having received …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-3-25/

doc Letter from Sarah "Sade" Pyatt to Kida family (ddr-one-3-17)

Letter from "Grandma" (Sarah "Sade" Pyatt) addressed to "folks" (meaning the Kida family) on June 16, 1942. Mrs. Pyatt asks after the family's well being after they had been vaccinated. Also tells of visits from several friends, including George Clark, Mr. Johnson, and Mrs. Crogman, who expressed her appreciation of having the Kidas' car to use. …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-3-17/

doc Letter from Sarah "Sade" Pyatt to Miyuki "Kay" Kida (ddr-one-3-22)

Letter from Sarah "Sade" Pyatt to Miyuki "Kay" Kida, dated July 6, 1942. Mrs. Pyatt writes that she wishes she could be there with Kay as she is alone at the Portland Assembly Center since her husband Kenjiro and son George have left for temporary work leave in Eastern Oregon. Sarah "Sade" Pyatt tells Kay about …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-3-22/

doc Letter from Sarah "Sade" Pyatt to Kida family (ddr-one-3-18)

Envelope from Sarah "Sade" Pyatt addressed to George Kida. Letter is from Sarah "Sade" Pyatt addressed to "folks" (meaning the Kida family) on June 23, 1942. Tells the Kida family that friend and neighbor James Albert "Al" Johnson tried to visit them but was not allowed in. Mrs. Pyatt asks Kay if she needs any more …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-3-18/

doc Letter from Sarah "Sade" Pyatt to Kida family (ddr-one-3-19)

Letter from "Grandma" (Sarah "Sade" Pyatt) addressed to "folks" (meaning the Kida family), dated June 30, 1942. Mrs. Pyatt offers to send some of her pension check of $40 to the Kida's. Asks if the Kidas need more bedding. She also asks how the situation (the war/internment) looks to the Kidas and tries to offer them …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-3-19/

doc Letter from Sarah "Sade" Pyatt to Kida family (ddr-one-3-20)

Letter from "Grandma" (Sarah "Sade" Pyatt) addressed to "folks" (meaning the Kida family), dated June 30, 1942. Notes that the Kidas had written Ethel saying they were going to Eastern Oregon the next week. Also notes that the Krogmens visited the Kidas (likely in Portland). Asks if Al has visited.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-3-20/