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 (219)
Temporary Assembly Centers (177)

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177 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 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 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 to Kinuta Uno at Pinedale Assembly Center (ddr-densho-324-54)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-324-54/

doc Letter to Kinuta Uno at Pinedale Assembly Center (ddr-densho-324-53)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-324-53/

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 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/

doc Constitution and by-laws, self government assembly of the Santa Anita Assembly Center (ddr-csujad-16-2)

According to its preamble, this "Constitution for the Santa Anita Assembly Center" was established by its residents "in order to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States, to foster and spread the true spirit of Americanism, to build the character of our people morally and spiritually on American ideals, and to promote the welfare …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-16-2/

doc From the Immigrant and Negro Press-AMERICA'S YOUNGEST NEWSPAPER (ddr-csujad-19-52)

This is an article form the magazine "Common Ground," summer 1942, which discusses in detail about a lively mimeographed news paper called the "Manzanar Free Press" from the Manzanar incarceration camp which was one of the first camps in California for the people of the Japanese ancestry forced to evacuate. See this object in the California …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-19-52/

doc Letter from An American Mother to Rev. Wendell L. Miller, May 2, 1942 (ddr-csujad-20-1)

Vociferous indictment of the Ladies aid of the Methodist Church for holding a luncheon picnic for "Japanese leaving Santa Anita," and similar efforts, stating that such overtures to "entertain enemies of their native land" are "traitor[ous]" and "disgrace the good sense of American woman hood." See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-20-1/

doc Letter from Lester E. Suzuki to Mrs. Miller, 1942 May 31 (ddr-csujad-20-16)

Letter from Lester E. Suzuki to Mrs. Miller addressing improved food conditions. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: WLM_01-46_16

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-20-16/

doc Letter from George Yoshioka to Rev. [Wendell L.] Miller, [September 11, 1942] (ddr-csujad-20-6)

Personal letter written from Santa Anita Assembly Center. Yoshioka discusses the start of "movement to Relocation Centers," naming Parker Dam; Wyoming; Granada, Colorado; Arkansas; and Gila, Arizona, along with locations from which people are being removed, including San Diego, Los Angeles, Hollywood, Long Beach, and other Southern California locations. He also mentions that his family has …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-20-6/

doc Letter from Jane Harino to Rev. Wendell [L.] Miller, circa 1942 (ddr-csujad-20-7)

Personal letter states that she is going to Jerome, Arkansas rather than to Granada, a change that pleases her because "there's a certain someone in Jerome - We're both so very happy"; also mentions passes for Miller [and Mrs. Miller?] as well as for the Reverend and Mrs. Clay, and asks that Miller help her by …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-20-7/

doc University of California, evacuation and settlement study: case history I (ddr-csujad-26-26)

Correspondence regarding a profile of incarceree Harry Osaka written by Robert Spencer. The profile was taken during a trip to Fresno for Harry's mother's funeral with Spencer as the escort and includes Harry's life and family story, farm business before incarceration, religious practices, holiday practices, description of funeral. Profile included as part of the Japanese American …

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

doc Outline of University of California study of evacuation and resettlement (ddr-csujad-26-2)

Outline for an academic social science study, the Japanese American Evacuation and Resettlement Study (JERS), led by the University of California of the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. Outline highlights area of administrative, social, political and personal areas to be studied by a team of researchers encamped with incarcerees. See this object in …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-26-2/

av An Oral History with Lillie Y. McCabe, Part II (ddr-csujad-29-17)

An oral history with Lillie Y. McCabe, an incarceree at the Santa Anita Temporary Assembly Center and the Granada (Amache) incarceration camp. This interview was conducted for the Japanese American Oral History Project by California State University, Fullerton. The interview covers the Anglo reverends and ministers who helped her while she was incarcerated at Amache, how …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-29-17/

img Lillie McCabe (ddr-csujad-29-19)

Photo of Lillie McCabe. Oral history audio and transcript are found in csufccop_jaoh_0030, csufccop_jaoh_0031, and csufccop_jaoh_0032. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: 1949_P03

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-29-19/

av An Oral History with J.S. Kishiyama and Y. Kishiyama (ddr-csujad-29-3)

Reflections of an elderly Orange County, California couple on their experiences in America. He recounts his years as an immigrant; she discusses her family background, makeup of Japanese-American community, and rural living. This oral history was conducted for the Japanese American Oral History Project, Oral History Program, California State University, Fullerton; interview conducted by Pat Morgan. …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-29-3/

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

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

av An Oral History with John Yukio Mori (ddr-csujad-29-2)

A Sansei and conscientious objector to the Vietnam war discusses alternate service as partner in Amerasia Bookstore, a nonprofit organization serving Los Angeles's Little Tokyo; activities in Young Buddhist Association; parent's reaction to his current life-style; and long term effect of World War II incarceration. This oral history was conducted for the Japanese Oral History Project …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-29-2/

av An Oral History with Lillie Y. McCabe, Part I (ddr-csujad-29-16)

An oral history with Lillie Y. McCabe, an incarceree at the Santa Anita Temporary Assembly Center and the Granada (Amache) incarceration camp. This interview was conducted for the Japanese American Oral History Project by California State University, Fullerton. The interview covers her childhood in Hollister, California, her family background; moving to Los Angeles, California in 1920 …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-29-16/

doc Letter from Tsuruno Meguro to Fumio Fred and Yoneko Takano, May 20, 1942 (ddr-csujad-42-44)

A letter from Tsuruno Meguro in the Pomona Assembly Center to her son-in-law and daughter, Fumio Fred and Yoneko Takano in the Santa Anita Assembly Center. In the letter, Tsuruno expresses her disappointment about the result that Fumio and Yoneko were sent to the Santa Anita Assembly Center. She was hoping to reunite at the Pomona …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-42-44/

Letter to Joseph B. Howerton, Assistant Chief for Reference, Industrial and Social Branch, Civil Archives Division, National Archives and Records Service, General Services Administration (ddr-csujad-42-143)

doc Letter to Joseph B. Howerton, Assistant Chief for Reference, Industrial and Social Branch, Civil Archives Division, National Archives and Records Service, General Services Administration (ddr-csujad-42-143)

A draft of a letter addressing National Archives and Records Service to request verification of the dates of incarceration and release. It appears to be a letter template in which a requester can fill out her/his information. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tak_01_77_001

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-42-143/

Letter from Robert K. Bratt, Administrator for Redress, Office of Redress Administration, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice to recipient (ddr-csujad-42-153)

doc Letter from Robert K. Bratt, Administrator for Redress, Office of Redress Administration, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice to recipient (ddr-csujad-42-153)

A copy of a letter from Robert K. Bratt, Administrator for Redress, Office of Redress Administration, Civil Rights Division, United States Department of Justice, addressing a recipient, who is presumably Yoneko or Mariko Takano. It notifies that their review of the documents has been completed and determined that the requester is eligible for a redress payment …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-42-153/