Living conditions

The "assembly centers" were hastily erected quarters located throughout the West Coast at fairgrounds, racetracks and other similar facilities. Conditions at these locations were appalling. People were housed in animal stalls and barracks with communal bathrooms and mess halls. Privacy was next to nonexistent. Most families lived in a 20-by-20-foot room separated from the next "apartment" by wood partitions that did not reach the ceiling. Shortages of food and deplorable sanitation were common. Overcrowding, uncertainty, and stress created tension in the "assembly centers," even as the demoralized camp inmates tried to improve living conditions.

World War II (231)
Temporary Assembly Centers (231)
Living conditions (389)

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389 items

vh Kanji Sahara Segment 11 (ddr-densho-1000-448-11)

Coping with limited furniture and supplies in camp

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-448-11/

vh Tom Matsuoka Segment 25 (ddr-densho-1000-47-25)

Joining family at the Pinedale Assembly Center, California: "So doggone hot..."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-47-25/

vh Shigeko Sese Uno Segment 15 (ddr-densho-1000-98-15)

Caring for a newborn baby in Puyallup Assembly Center, Washington

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-98-15/

vh Shigeko Sese Uno Segment 17 (ddr-densho-1000-98-17)

Fellow camp inmate describes losing child during the curfew, too afraid to go to a hospital

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-98-17/

vh Tosh Yasutake Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-1000-138-4)

First impressions of the Puyallup Assembly Center: "it was like going to an army camp"

William Toshio Yasutake was interviewed together with his sister Mitsuye (Yasutake) Yamada and surviving brother, Joseph Yasutake, in group sessions on October 8-9, 2002. He was interviewed individually on November 14, 2002.

Before being contacted by Densho, the Yasutake siblings had …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-138-4/

vh May Ota Higa Interview Segment 18 (ddr-densho-1000-174-18)

Restrictions after the bombing of Pearl Harbor; first impressions of Puyallup Assembly Center

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-174-18/

vh Mits Koshiyama Interview Segment 7 (ddr-densho-1000-130-7)

Santa Anita Assembly Center: making camouflage nets, observing loss of family ties

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-130-7/

vh Kenji Ima Interview Segment 11 (ddr-densho-1000-495-11)

Being the target of bullies in camp

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-495-11/

vh Seichi Hayashida Segment 16 (ddr-densho-1000-14-16)

Feelings upon arrival at the Pinedale Assembly Center

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-14-16/

vh Seichi Hayashida Segment 15 (ddr-densho-1000-14-15)

Traveling to the Pinedale Assembly Center, California

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-14-15/

vh Seichi Hayashida Segment 20 (ddr-densho-1000-14-20)

Description of mess halls, lavatories, laundry building

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-14-20/

vh Ike Hatchimonji Interview Segment 9 (ddr-densho-1000-381-9)

First impressions of camp: "it was quite a disappointment"

This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-381-9/

vh Yae Wada Segment 8 (ddr-densho-1000-476-8)

Living conditions in Topaz

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-476-8/

vh Yae Wada Segment 7 (ddr-densho-1000-476-7)

First impressions of Tanforan

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-476-7/

vh Yae Aihara Interview Segment 8 (ddr-densho-1000-221-8)

First impressions of Puyallup Assembly Center, having a graduation ceremony

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-221-8/

vh Rudy Tokiwa Interview II Segment 16 (ddr-densho-1000-92-16)

Learning to cook in the Salinas Assembly Center, California

This interview was conducted at the 1998 Americans of Japanese Ancestry Veterans National Convention, held in Honolulu, Hawaii.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-92-16/

vh Frank S. Fujii Segment 11 (ddr-densho-1000-8-11)

Impressions of Puyallup Assembly Center: physical discomforts, meeting new people

This interview was conducted over two days due to electrical problems. The majority of the interview was completed on the second day, September 5.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-8-11/

vh Giro Nakagawa Interview Segment 13 (ddr-densho-1000-422-13)

Feeling angry after being removed to Pinedale assembly center

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-422-13/

vh Robert Mizukami Interview Segment 10 (ddr-densho-1000-114-10)

Forced into "Camp Harmony," Puyallup Assembly Center, Washington

This is the first in a series of interviews conducted by the Puyallup Valley Japanese American Citizen League in collaboration with Densho.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-114-10/

vh Frank T. Sata Interview I Segment 8 (ddr-densho-1000-499-8)

A child's memories of camp

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-499-8/

vh Frank T. Sata Interview I Segment 7 (ddr-densho-1000-499-7)

First arriving in Santa Anita

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-499-7/

vh Chizuko Norton Segment 18 (ddr-densho-1000-73-18)

Difficulties of assembly center life as a teenager

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-73-18/

vh Chizuko Norton Segment 20 (ddr-densho-1000-73-20)

Keeping oneself occupied in Pinedale Assembly Center

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-73-20/

vh Toru Sakahara - Kiyo Sakahara Interview II Segment 4 (ddr-densho-1000-77-4)

Gambling in the Puyallup Assembly Center

This interview was conducted over two days at the Sakaharas' home.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-77-4/

vh Toru Sakahara - Kiyo Sakahara Interview II Segment 5 (ddr-densho-1000-77-5)

Working in the judge advocate's office at Puyallup Assembly Center

This interview was conducted over two days at the Sakaharas' home.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-77-5/