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 (216)
Temporary Assembly Centers (177)
Living conditions (367)

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367 items

vh Willie K. Ito Interview Segment 10 (ddr-manz-1-149-10)

Memories of the Tanforan Assembly Center, California

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-manz-1-149-10/

vh Massie Hinatsu Interview Segment 8 (ddr-manz-1-100-8)

First impressions of the Portland Assembly Center

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-manz-1-100-8/

vh Massie Hinatsu Interview Segment 11 (ddr-manz-1-100-11)

Receiving typhoid inoculations in camp

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-manz-1-100-11/

vh Akiko Okuno Interview Segment 20 (ddr-manz-1-133-20)

First impressions of camp: typhoid inoculation, lack of privacy

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-manz-1-133-20/

vh Victor Ikeda Interview Segment 30 (ddr-manz-1-23-30)

First impressions of Puyallup: living under the roller coaster

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-manz-1-23-30/

vh Victor Ikeda Interview Segment 31 (ddr-manz-1-23-31)

Passing the time in camp: volunteering for the dishwashing crew

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-manz-1-23-31/

vh Jean Matsumoto Interview Segment 8 (ddr-manz-1-130-8)

First impressions of the Portland Assembly Center

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-manz-1-130-8/

vh Irene Yamauchi Tatsuta Interview Segment 11 (ddr-manz-1-158-11)

Memories of Puyallup: father's stroke, living quarters, guards

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-manz-1-158-11/

vh Alfred "Al" Miyagishima Interview Segment 16 (ddr-manz-1-27-16)

Making new friends in the Stockton Assembly Center

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-manz-1-27-16/

vh Bob Fuchigami Interview Segment 15 (ddr-manz-1-28-15)

Adjusting to confinement as a child: contemplating sneaking out of camp

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-manz-1-28-15/

vh Midori Suzuki - Sanzui A. Takaha Interview Segment 14 (ddr-manz-1-173-14)

First impressions of Tanforan

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-manz-1-173-14/

vh Taketora Jim Tanaka Interview Segment 10 (ddr-manz-1-50-10)

Memories of the Marysville assembly center

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-manz-1-50-10/

vh June T. Watanabe Interview Segment 6 (ddr-manz-1-160-6)

Daily life in Santa Anita

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-manz-1-160-6/

vh Sadako Nimura Kashiwagi Interview Segment 7 (ddr-manz-1-172-7)

First impressions of the Marysville assembly center

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-manz-1-172-7/

vh Hope Omachi Kawashima Interview Segment 12 (ddr-manz-1-154-12)

Memories of the Marysville Assembly Center

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-manz-1-154-12/

vh Sumiko Yamauchi Interview Segment 9 (ddr-manz-1-135-9)

First day and night in camp

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-manz-1-135-9/

vh Richard M. Murakami Interview Segment 5 (ddr-manz-1-161-5)

Memories of "evacuation day," arriving at the Marysville Assembly Center, California

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-manz-1-161-5/