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)

Filters

Facilities

Format

Genre

Usage

Use <Ctrl> or (⌘) keys to select multiple terms

Gallery view
List view

389 items

vh Henry Miyatake Interview II Segment 12 (ddr-densho-1000-54-12)

Getting news of the outside world in camp

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-54-12/

vh Kara Kondo Interview Segment 28 (ddr-densho-1000-139-28)

Life in the North Portland Assembly Center, Oregon: cramped living quarters, working for the camp newsletter

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-139-28/

vh Kara Kondo Interview Segment 27 (ddr-densho-1000-139-27)

Early memories of life in assembly center: "You're in a daze for a while until you get your bearings"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-139-27/

vh Peggy Tanemura Interview Segment 7 (ddr-densho-1000-85-7)

Lack of privacy in camp

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-85-7/

vh Peggy Tanemura Interview Segment 5 (ddr-densho-1000-85-5)

Description of Puyallup Assembly Center

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-85-5/

vh Ruby Inouye Interview Segment 20 (ddr-densho-1000-143-20)

First impressions of Puyallup Assembly Center; resourcefulness of the camp inmates

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-143-20/

vh Ruby Inouye Interview Segment 22 (ddr-densho-1000-143-22)

Life at the Puyallup Assembly Center: poor food, playing cards, and wondering about the future

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-143-22/

vh Peggie Nishimura Bain Interview Segment 31 (ddr-densho-1000-170-31)

Harsh conditions in assembly center: heat, lines, poor facilities

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-170-31/

vh Peggie Nishimura Bain Interview Segment 30 (ddr-densho-1000-170-30)

The train ride to Pinedale Assembly Center: "we were being treated as enemies"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-170-30/

vh Clara S. Hattori Interview II Segment 11 (ddr-densho-1000-427-11)

Memories of the Arboga Assembly Center, California

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-427-11/

vh Ben Takeshita Segment 5 (ddr-densho-1000-467-5)

Memories of the day of mass removal and first impressions of the Tanforan Assembly Center

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-467-5/

vh Mitsu Fukui Interview Segment 22 (ddr-densho-1000-140-22)

Feelings about dealing with hardships in the assembly center: "I thought that was really cruel. Being a citizen and to be put into a place like that."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-140-22/

vh Eugene Tatsuru Kimura Interview Segment 18 (ddr-densho-1000-231-18)

Memories of assembly center: coyotes howling at night

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-231-18/

vh Grayce Kaneda Uyehara Interview Segment 5 (ddr-phljacl-1-12-5)

Receiving a visit from former students in camp

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-phljacl-1-12-5/