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

doc Two letters to Yuri from Min Yonekura (ddr-densho-356-285)

Two letters to Yuriko Domoto Tsukada from Minoru "Min" Yonekura. Both letters stored in one envelope, unclear if they were mailed together or separately. Letter 5/11: describes forced removal, details items needed in assembly center to make barracks feel homey, food quality in the assembly center and general life there. Letter 2: discusses plans to move …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-285/

doc Notice to internees, bathroom hours (ddr-densho-356-778)

Notice to internees that informs of the times in which one of the bathrooms in male only and female only.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-778/

doc Four letters to Yuri Domoto from Tomi Domoto (ddr-densho-356-289)

Four letters stored in one envelope to Yuriko Domoto Tsukada from her cousin Tomi Domoto. Appears the letters were mailed separately and later stored together in one envelope. 6/8 letter: discusses events leading up to forced removal, inquires about how family are settling into the camp and how hers is and mutual friends. 8/8 letter: discusses …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-289/

doc Letter to Yuri from Yoshito (ddr-densho-356-219)

Envelope and letter addressed to Yuri Domoto from Yoshito Shibata. In the letter Yoshito writes about the descriptions of the Assembly centers he's heard so far and how positive Yuri's description was, pending deployment to Japan, his friendship with fellow Nisei soldier Stg. Harry Fujita, his recent promotion to Tech Sgt. He also describes a USO …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-219/

doc Clothing Request (ddr-densho-356-773)

Carbon copy of a clothing request made by Yuriko Domoto

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-773/

doc Administrative Notice No. 19 Conservation of Water (ddr-densho-356-798)

Administrative Notice No. 19 from Santa Anita Assembly Center on the conservation of water as water is not draining properly. The Assembly center closed laundry facilities on Wednesday and one shower location each day of the week.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-798/

doc Letter to Yuri Domoto from Sonoko Riusaki (ddr-densho-356-281)

Letter to Yuri Domoto Tsukada from her sister Sonoko Domoto Riusaki in which she provides advice for preparing for forced removal and what to prepare for live in the Assembly Centers. Item tied together with all objects between ddr-densho-356-277 and ddr-densho-356-320.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-281/

doc Letter to Yuri Domoto from Margaret Saito (ddr-densho-356-287)

Letter to Yuri Domoto from Margaret Saito in which she describes life at Tanforan and her volunteering to go to Manzanar early. Item tied together with all objects between ddr-densho-356-277 and ddr-densho-356-320.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-287/

doc Letter to Yuri Domoto from Rosie Suyeyasu (ddr-densho-356-288)

Letter to Yuri Domoto Tsukada from Rose "Rosie" Nakagawa Suyeyasu. In the letter she writes about life at Tanforan and the mutual friends they have. Item tied together with all objects between ddr-densho-356-277 and ddr-densho-356-320.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-288/

doc Information Release No. 22: Issue of Clothing (ddr-densho-356-785)

Memo to all residents of Merced Assembly Center from Harry L. Black, Center Manager regarding clothing allotments for internees.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-785/

doc Postcard to Yuri Domoto from May Morioka (ddr-densho-356-286)

Postcard to Yuri Domoto from May Morioka in which she talks about life at Tanforan and asks for Yuri to write back so they can keep in touch. Item tied together with all objects between ddr-densho-356-277 and ddr-densho-356-320.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-286/

doc Clothing Request (ddr-densho-356-795)

Clothing request from Richard "Dick" Tsukada.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-795/

doc Administrative Notice No. 24 Contraband Articles and Possession of Liquor and Drugs (ddr-densho-356-801)

Administrative Notice No. 24 from Santa Anita Assembly Center quotes the Center Regulations regarding the possession of contraband. Contraband includes: Shortwave Radios, cameras, firearms, weapons, alcohol, and drugs.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-801/

doc Barrack, mess and issue record (ddr-densho-356-770)

A written record of Yuriko Domoto Tsukada's barrack assignment.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-770/

doc Clothing list and request for Richard Tsukada (ddr-densho-356-796)

List of approved clothing items and their prices and a clothing request form filled out for Richard "Dick" Tsukada.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-796/

doc Takeharu Inouye Diary (ddr-densho-365-1)

Takeharu Inouye's first diary documents his family's forced move to the Sacramento Assembly Center, followed by their move to the Tule Lake concentration camp. Since his mother, Miyoe Inouye, was a teacher, thirteen-year-old Takeharu's diary focuses on his classes in the Japanese and American schools at Tule Lake. His struggles with his schoolwork, as well as …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-365-1/

img Japanese Americans eating in a mess hall (ddr-densho-37-482)

Original WRA caption: Arcadia, California. Meal time, cafeteria-style, for these children at Santa Anita assembly center for evacuees of Japanese ancestry.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-37-482/

doc Keynote address by Bob H. Suzuki for Nisei Honorary Degree Ceremony (ddr-densho-446-363)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-363/

doc Journal entry for Sept. 6, 1942 (ddr-densho-468-140)

Typed description of day's activities

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-468-140/

doc A Myopic Account of a Relocated Life during the Second World War (ddr-densho-468-97)

Personal recollections of life in an assembly center and relocation camp for Japanese descendants and various digressions

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-468-97/

doc Letter to Frank (ddr-densho-468-139)

Typed letter on four half-sheets mounted to full sheet of paper.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-468-139/

doc Biographical poem (ddr-densho-468-155)

Typed draft of poem based on Ishikawa's childhood and experiences in World War II

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-468-155/

doc Oral Memoirs of Joseph Ishikawa (ddr-densho-468-94)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-468-94/

img Cafeteria (ddr-densho-471-26)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-471-26/

doc Credit memo, Lodging Dept. (ddr-csujad-55-862)

Card for lodging supply credits at Pomona Temporary Assembly Center. Issued to Shoji Nagumo. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0864

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-862/