Concentration camps

The War Relocation Authority (WRA) oversaw construction of ten concentration camps in sparsely populated and isolated areas. Between June and October 1942, Japanese Americans were transferred from the "assembly centers" to the larger camps. Housing approximately 120,000 people, the camps were designed to be self-contained communities, complete with hospitals, post offices, schools, warehouses, and residential areas. The WRA attempted to establish normalcy by setting up newspapers, a degree of self-government, sports leagues, and social events. But confinement, monotony, and harsh conditions exacerbated tensions between pro- and anti-camp administration residents and between the disempowered Issei and their U.S.-born Nisei children. At several centers, conflicts erupted into violence and at the Manzanar concentration camp the unrest resulted in fatal shootings. The WRA gradually granted work and school leave to those they considered "loyal." The last camp closed in March 1946.

World War II (231)
Concentration camps (1434)

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1434 items

doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from William Koyama (ddr-one-5-64)

Envelope addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama in Santa Fe Detention Center from his son, William Koyama, at Minidoka. Envelope is postmarked August 3, 1943. In red pencil "8/10-43" is written above the receiver's information. The letter from William Koyama is yellowed and water-damaged. At the bottom of the letter is an "EXAMINED" stamp with unknown initals. …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-64/

doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from T. Sumi (ddr-one-5-73)

Envelope addressed to Dr. K. Koyama at the Santa Fe Detention Station from T. Sumi at Heart Mountain. Postmarked Nov 15, 1943. On the right edge is a staple to seal the opening. Inside is a letter written in Japanese. On the right side of the letter is an "EXAMINED" stamp. The letter has not been …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-73/

doc Postcard to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama (ddr-one-5-24)

Yellowed postcard address to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama at Camp Livingston from his wife Teru Koyama at the Portland Assembly Center. The postcard is postmarked August 31, 1942. On the left side of the postcard is a purple stamp that reads “Censored/Camp Livingston/Internment Camp/HARMON M. TURNER.” On the back side of the postcard, which is dated …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-24/

doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama (ddr-one-5-61)

Envelope addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Santa Fe Detention Station from his wife, Teru Koyama, at Minidoka. Postmarked Jul 20, 1943. At the top of the envelope “July-27-43” is written in blue pencil. Inside the envelope is a letter written by Teru dated July 18, 1943, in which she quotes a long poem by an …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-61/

doc Envelope and letters to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru and Eva Koyama (ddr-one-5-33)

Envelope addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Camp Livingston from his wife, Teru Koyama, and daughter, Eva Koyama. Postmarked Sep 21, 1942. To the left of the postmark is “9/26/42” written in red pencil. On the left side of the envelope is a purple "Censored" stamp. The left edge of the envelope is torn so that …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-33/

doc Postcard to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama (ddr-one-5-56)

One cent postcard addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Santa Fe Detention Station from his wife, Teru Koyama, at Minidoka. Postmarked Jun 15, 1943. To the left of the postmark “6/21/43” is written in red pencil. In the lower left corner is an upside down "Examined" stamp. The back of the postcard is dated June 14, …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-56/

doc Envelope and letters to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama and Miriam Kiyo Koyama (ddr-one-5-30)

Envelope addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Camp Livingston from his wife, Teru Koyama, and daughter, Miriam Kiyo Koyama. Postmarked Sep 16, 1942. In red pencil “9/20-42” is written to the left of the postmark. In the lower left corner is a purple "Censored" stamp from Camp Livingston. Inside the envelope are two letters, one from …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-30/

doc Postcard to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama (ddr-one-5-31)

Front of postcard addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Camp Livingston from his wife, Teru Koyama, at Minidoka. Postmarked Sep 17, 1942, over a six cent airmail stamp. To the left of the postmark “9-20-42” is written in red pencil. On the lower left corner is a purple "Censored" stamp. The message on the back is …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-31/

doc Postcard to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Lois Sato (ddr-one-5-32)

Postcard addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Camp Livingston from Lois Sato at Minidoka. Postmarked Sep 17, 1942. On the left side of the front of the postcard is a purple "Censored" stamp. On the back of the postcard is a handwritten message from Lois Sato. She writes about the weather at Minidoka and the eating …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-32/

doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from T. Sumi (ddr-one-5-74)

Envelope addressed to Dr. K. Koyama at the Santa Fe Detention Station from T. Sumi at Heart Mountain. It is postmarked on Dec 6, 1943. A tear is visible on the right side of the envelope below the stamp. Inside the envelope is a letter in Japanese dated December 4th. In the lower left corner is …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-74/

doc Postcard to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama (ddr-one-5-65)

One cent postcard addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Santa Fe Detention Station from his wife, Teru Koyama, at Minidoka. Postmarked Aug 16, 1943. To the left of the postmark “Aug-24-43” is written. "Examined" stamp in the lower left corner with "25-3" written on it. On the back dated Aug 15, 1943. Teru writes about the …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-65/

doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama (ddr-one-5-53)

Yellowed envelope addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama in Camp Livingston from his wife, Teru Koyama, in Minidoka. Envelope is postmarked Apr 23, 1943, with “Internee of War/Free Mail” handwritten in the upper right corner. Written in red pencil is "5/4/43." Along the left edge of the envelope is clear tape with the number 389, and on …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-53/

doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from R. Maeda (ddr-one-5-54)

Yellowed envelope addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama in Camp Livingston from R. Maeda at Minidoka. The envelope is postmarked April 28, 1943. Along the top of the envelope is "5/11-43" written in red pencil. Along the left edge of the envelope is clear tape that has the number 149 printed on it. The tape wraps around …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-54/

doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama (ddr-one-5-71)

Envelope addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Santa Fe Detention Station from his wife, Teru Koyama, at Minidoka. Postmarked Sep 13, 1943. In place of postage, “Internee of War/Free Mail” is written in the upper right corner. Along the top “9/20-43” is written in red pencil. Inside the envelope is a letter dated Sept 12, 1943. …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-71/

doc Postcard to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama (ddr-one-5-60)

One cent postcard addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Santa Fe Dentention Station from his wife, Teru Koyama, at Minidoka. Postmarked Jul 16, 1943. On the left side of the postcard is an "Examined" stamp signed "25-3." The message on the back of the postcard is dated July 16, 1943. Teru writes to tell Kei about …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-60/

doc Envelope and Birthday Card to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama (ddr-one-5-36)

Envelope addressed to Dr. Kei Koyama at Camp Livingston. Return sender name is not visible, but the Block number is the same as the Koyama Family; addressed as Minidoka WRA Center. Postmarked October 1, 1942. In red pencil “Oct 6 1942” is written below the postmark. On the left side of the envelope is a purple …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-36/

doc Christmas card and envelope to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Mr. and Mrs. S. Nii (ddr-one-5-46)

Envelope addressed to Mr. Kei Koyama at Camp Livingston, no return sender information. Postmarked Dec 22, 1942, in Hunt, Idaho. In red pencil “Dec 20, 1943” is written above a purple "EXAMINED" stamp. On the back of the envelope are two additional "Internment Camp" stamps; one is dated Dec 28, 1942; the second is dated Jan …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-46/

doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama (ddr-one-5-14)

White air mail envelope with a red, white and blue border. The envelope is addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Fort Sill from his wife, Teru Koyama, at the Portland Assembly Center. Postmarked May 25, 1942. On the left side of the envelope, written in pencil, is “Censored 5/31/42” with initials below. Inside the envelope is …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-14/

doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama and Miriam Kiyo Koyama (ddr-one-5-22)

Yellowed envelope addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama in Camp Livingston from his wife, Teru Koyama, in the Portland Assembly Center. The envelope is postmarked August 24, 1942, and is stamped "VIA AIR MAIL" over the postmark. Written in blue pencil under the postage stamp is “Aug 23, 1942.” Written below the address in blue pencil is …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-22/

doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama (ddr-one-5-58)

Envelope addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Santa Fe Dentention Station from his wife, Teru Koyama, at Minidoka. Postmarked Jun 22, 1943. In the upper center “6/28-43” is written in red pencil. Inside the envelope was a letter, in the center of the header is an "Examined" stamp. In the letter Teru writes about being apart …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-58/

doc Pacific Citizen, Vol. 47, No.25 (December 19, 1958) (ddr-pc-30-51)

1958 Holiday Issue Select article titles: "Nisei challenged to regain American prestige abroad" (p. A-3); "Fred's Bleakest Christmas Eve" (p. A-4); "Policy Statement of JACL on International Relations" (p. A-5); "1st round opens for JACL role on U.S.-Japan issue" (p. A-7); "A measure of success" (B-5). The holiday issue included advertisements bought by JACL members and …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-pc-30-51/

doc Pacific Citizen, Vol. 69, No. 13 (September 26,1969) (ddr-pc-41-39)

Select article titles: "Future of Japanese Ethnic churches in L.A. studied" (p. 1); "Seattle Issei Complain Lack of Police Action(p.1); "40,000 witness Japan week's civic parade" (p. 3); "Concentration Camp" (p. 4).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-pc-41-39/

doc Pacific Citizen, Vol 68, No. 2 (January 10, 1969) (ddr-pc-41-2)

Select article titles: "Hayakawa means to keep campus open, warning signs up" (p. 1); "PC columnists T. Murayama dies aboard ship" (p. 1); "Wakamatsu Colony centennial celebration at Coloma Jan. 26" (p. 1); "Issue of Detention camps in a Democracy" (p. 3); "JACL meets with SFSC people" (p. 4).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-pc-41-2/

doc Pacific Citizen, Vol. 53, No. 17 (October 27, 1961) (ddr-pc-33-43)

Selected article titles: "Canada Leader Defends Wartime Nisei Evacuation" (p. 1), "National Park Status for Rohwer Asked" (p. 1), "Washington Newsletter: Freedom in Employment" (p. 1), and "Issei Story Project: Who, What, Why, How?" (p. 4).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-pc-33-43/

doc Pacific Citizen, Vol. 52, No. 21 (May 26, 1961) (ddr-pc-33-21)

Selected article titles: "Washington Newsletter: Shame of Our Nation" (p. 1), "Rowher WRA Cemetery May Become Nat'l Shrine Maintained by Nat'l Park Service" (p. 1), "Prejudice and Hawaiian Dialect" (p. 2), and "Nisei Psychologist Granted $62,000 to Study Rise of Japanese American Delinquency" (p. 3).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-pc-33-21/