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 (229)
Temporary Assembly Centers (209)
Living conditions (386)

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386 items

doc Letter from Rose Tani to Rev. Miller, 1942 May 10 (ddr-csujad-20-17)

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-20-17/

doc Letter from Seda Suzuki to Rev. and Mrs. Miller, 1942 September 11 (ddr-csujad-20-19)

A letter sent to Mr. and Mrs. Wendell Miller giving thanks for his sermon. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: WLM_01-46_19

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-20-19/

doc Letter from the Suzuki's to Rev. and Mrs. Miller, circa 1942 (ddr-csujad-20-13)

Letter from the Suzuki's to Rev. and Mrs. Miller regarding recent happenings at the Santa Anita Assembly Center. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: WLM_01-46_14

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-20-13/

doc Letter from June Harino to Rev. Miller, 1942 October 15 (ddr-csujad-20-22)

A letter from June Harino sent to Miller regarding her being assigned to a camp in Jerome, Arkansas where there awaits a "certain someone" with whom she is very happy. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: WLM_01-46_11

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-20-22/

doc Letter from June Harino to Rev. Miller, 1942 June 9 (ddr-csujad-20-20)

A letter sent to Mr. Wendell L. Miller. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: WLM_01-46_20

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

doc Letter from Lester Suzuki to Brother [Wendell L.] Miller, May 4, 1942 (ddr-csujad-20-3)

Personal letter written from the Santa Anita Temporary Assembly Center and describing early days there, including lack of regular work and schooling schedules and of appropriate food for children; scouts and boys' clubs being in development; religious services on Sundays attracting nearly 2000 people; and the need to wait for community facilities such as laundry and …

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

doc Letter from T. Takahashi and Family to Rev. Wendell L. Miller, May 14, 1942 (ddr-csujad-20-5)

Personal letter written from the Santa Anita Assembly Center; thanks Miller for his "kind treatment and wonderful assistance in our evacuation" and mentions that his or her mother is now recovering with them after suffering from worry and tiredness. Takahashi states that their life was previously too materialistic, and that this is a "God-given opportunity ... …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-20-5/

doc News Clippings (ddr-csujad-20-24)

Newspaper clippings, circa 1942. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: WLM_01-45_01

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-20-24/

doc Letter to Wendell L. Miller, 1942 April 27 (ddr-csujad-20-21)

An angry letter sent to Mr. Wendell L. Miller. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: WLM_01-44_03

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-20-21/

doc Letter from George K. Sakai, 1942 May 4 (ddr-csujad-20-14)

Letter from George Sakai to United Methodist Church regarding address information for a mutual friend. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: WLM_01-46_13

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

doc Comic Strip, 1943 December 26 (ddr-csujad-20-12)

Clipped comic strip of "Little Joe." See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: WLM_01-45_02

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-20-12/

doc Letter from Mrs. L. [Lester] Suzuki to Rev. [Wendell L.] and Mrs. [?] Miller, May 5, 1942 (ddr-csujad-20-4)

Personal letter written from the Santa Anita Assembly Center. Suzuki thanks Reverend Miller and Mrs. Miller for their kindness; mentions friends among the "dear Caucasian ministers such as you"; and discusses the importance of religious services, housing in a new barrack vs. in the stables, making furniture from scrap wood, an impending increase in number of …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-20-4/

doc Postcard from Anna Brooks, 1942 June 8 (ddr-csujad-20-23)

Postcard from Anna Brooks regarding Leila Hofstetter. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: WLM_01-46_12

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-20-23/

doc Letter from L.W., circa 1942 (ddr-csujad-20-25)

A letter from L.W. Addressee is not known. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: WLM_01-44_04

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-20-25/

doc Letter from Henry [Katsumi] Fujita to Mr. H. A. Strong, Electrolux Corporation, August 9, 1942 (ddr-csujad-23-13)

Letter from Henry K. Fujita to his boss Mr. H. A. Strong of the Electrolux Corporation in San Francisco dated August 9, 1942. Rich in details, the letter describes the physical layout of the Merced Assembly Center, the poor-quality construction of the barracks, the daily schedules, the camp organization and facilities, the hardships and illnesses and …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-23-13/

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/

doc Letter from Kumaji Meguro to Fumio Fred and Yoneko Takano, July 21, 1942, English translation (ddr-csujad-42-57)

English translation of the letter: csudh_tak_0056. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tak_01_30_001_eng

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-42-57/

doc Letter from Tsuruno Meguro to Fumio Fred and Yoneko Takano, May 20, 1942, English translation (ddr-csujad-42-45)

English translation of the letter: csudh_tak_0044. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tak_01_26_001_eng

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-42-45/

doc Letter from Tsuruno Meguro to Yoneko Takano, June 1942, Japanese typescript (ddr-csujad-42-52)

Japanese typescript of the letter: csudh_tak_0050. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tak_01_28_001_jpn

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-42-52/

doc Letter from Tsuruno Meguro to Yoneko Takano, May 30, 1942, English translation (ddr-csujad-42-48)

English translation of the letter: csudh_tak_0047. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tak_01_27_001_eng

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-42-48/

doc Letter from Kumaji Meguro to Fumio Fred and Yoneko Takano, July 21, 1942 (ddr-csujad-42-56)

A letter from Kumaji Meguro in the Pomona Assembly Center to his son-in-law and daughter, Fumio Fred and Yoneko Takano in the Santa Anita Assembly Center. The letter describes the lives and living conditions in the assembly center, including the allowance and wages, entertainments, etc. Kumaji details his daily routine and expresses his appreciation for the …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-42-56/

doc Letter from Tsuruno Meguro to Yoneko Takano, May 30, 1942 (ddr-csujad-42-47)

A letter from Tsuruno Meguro who writes from the Pomona Assembly Center to her daughter, Yoneko Takano in the Santa Ana Assembly Center. In the letter, she writes about the living conditions in the Pomona Assembly Center. She is grateful for the food served without cooking but complains about a long and unpleasant wait for each …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-42-47/

doc Letter from Tsuruno Meguro to Fumio Fred and Yoneko Takano, July 13, 1942, English translation (ddr-csujad-42-54)

English translation of the letter: csudh_tak_0053. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tak_01_29_001_eng

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-42-54/

doc Letter from Tsuruno Meguro to Yoneko Takano, June, 1942 (ddr-csujad-42-50)

A letter from Tsuruno Meguro in the Pomona Assembly Center to her daughter, Yoneko Takano in the Santa Anita Assembly Center. In the letter, Tsuruno describes the lives and conditions in the camp, including the hot weather, classes and entertainment, church, allowance and wages, and other incarcerees who she met in the camp. She writes about …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-42-50/

doc Letter from Tsuruno Meguro to Yoneko Takano, June 1942, English translation (ddr-csujad-42-51)

English translation of the letter: csudh_tak_0050. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tak_01_28_001_eng

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-42-51/