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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 (240)
Temporary Assembly Centers (234)
Living conditions (406)

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406 items
Letter written to Helen Takahashi from Margaret (ddr-densho-410-43)
doc Letter written to Helen Takahashi from Margaret (ddr-densho-410-43)
Letter describes in detail moving into Tanforan Assembly center and conditions there. Note on back of last page from Helen to Tomoye, asking for permission to publish the letter.
Letter to Tomoye and Henri Takahashi from Henri's sister, Helen (ddr-densho-410-46)
doc Letter to Tomoye and Henri Takahashi from Henri's sister, Helen (ddr-densho-410-46)
Description of camp conditions, freezing temperatures, asking for some items to be sent
Letter from Ruth Yamada to Matsuye Koike, July 2, 1942 (ddr-densho-432-4)
doc Letter from Ruth Yamada to Matsuye Koike, July 2, 1942 (ddr-densho-432-4)
This letter discusses life at Santa Anita Assembly Center. Matsuye Koike received the letter while imprisoned at Fort Lincoln, Bismark, ND. The letter was "detained alien enemy mail examined."
Letter from Ruth Yamada to Matsuye Koike, c. 1942 (ddr-densho-432-3)
doc Letter from Ruth Yamada to Matsuye Koike, c. 1942 (ddr-densho-432-3)
This letter discusses life at Santa Anita Assembly Center, including Ruth Yamada's thoughts on school, church, and food. Matsuye Koike received the letter while imprisoned at Fort Lincoln, Bismark, ND. The letter was "detained alien enemy mail examined."
Letter from Ruth Yamada to Matsuye Koike, May 18, 1942 (ddr-densho-432-1)
doc Letter from Ruth Yamada to Matsuye Koike, May 18, 1942 (ddr-densho-432-1)
This letter discusses Ruth Yamada's arrival at Santa Anita Assembly Center. It includes her impressions on the journey, their living conditions, work, and Social and recreational activities|id:63 in camp. Matsuye Koike received the letter while imprisoned at Fort Lincoln, Bismark, ND. The letter was "detained alien enemy mail examined."
Letter from Ruth Yamada to Matsuye Koike, June 1, 1942 (ddr-densho-432-2)
doc Letter from Ruth Yamada to Matsuye Koike, June 1, 1942 (ddr-densho-432-2)
This letter discusses life at Santa Anita Assembly Center, including Ruth Yamada's thoughts on school, church, and food. Matsuye Koike received the letter while imprisoned at Fort Lincoln, Bismark, ND. The letter was "detained alien enemy mail examined."
Louise Kashino Segment 12 (ddr-densho-1000-31-12)
vh Louise Kashino Segment 12 (ddr-densho-1000-31-12)
Leaving Seattle: packing extra food just in case; first impressions of the Puyallup Assembly Center

For the first hour of this interview, an additional camera crew from KCTS Television was also present.

Louise Kashino Segment 16 (ddr-densho-1000-31-16)
vh Louise Kashino Segment 16 (ddr-densho-1000-31-16)
Working as a "tray girl" in Puyallup Assembly Center

For the first hour of this interview, an additional camera crew from KCTS Television was also present.

Louise Kashino Segment 13 (ddr-densho-1000-31-13)
vh Louise Kashino Segment 13 (ddr-densho-1000-31-13)
Health concerns, bad Vienna sausages in Puyallup Assembly Center

For the first hour of this interview, an additional camera crew from KCTS Television was also present.

Akio Hoshino Segment 8 (ddr-densho-1000-26-8)
vh Akio Hoshino Segment 8 (ddr-densho-1000-26-8)
Memories of Puyallup Assembly Center: friendly guards, ice skating, and arguing over steel cots
Joe Yamakido Interview Segment 5 (ddr-densho-1000-167-5)
vh Joe Yamakido Interview Segment 5 (ddr-densho-1000-167-5)
Unpleasant memories of Santa Anita Assembly Center, California, working as a trashman
Nobu Suzuki Interview I Segment 26 (ddr-densho-1000-84-26)
vh Nobu Suzuki Interview I Segment 26 (ddr-densho-1000-84-26)
Attitude toward violation of rights, "There was nothing we could do about it because they had the guns"

References are made to several of Nobu Suzuki's personal papers, which are currently available for public perusal at the University of Washington's Manuscripts and University Archives.

Nobu Suzuki Interview I Segment 24 (ddr-densho-1000-84-24)
vh Nobu Suzuki Interview I Segment 24 (ddr-densho-1000-84-24)
Memories of Puyallup Assembly Center: setting up a makeshift hospital without medical equipment

References are made to several of Nobu Suzuki's personal papers, which are currently available for public perusal at the University of Washington's Manuscripts and University Archives.

Nobu Suzuki Interview I Segment 25 (ddr-densho-1000-84-25)
vh Nobu Suzuki Interview I Segment 25 (ddr-densho-1000-84-25)
Conditions in Puyallup: getting chicken pox, army looks for contraband in a chocolate cake brought by visitors

References are made to several of Nobu Suzuki's personal papers, which are currently available for public perusal at the University of Washington's Manuscripts and University Archives.

Tsuguo
vh Tsuguo "Ike" Ikeda Interview I Segment 10 (ddr-densho-1000-123-10)
Memories of the Portland Assembly Center, Oregon: working to distribute dairy products, help people settle

As a teenager prior to World War II, began keeping scrapbooks with newspaper articles and memorabilia, a lifetime habit.

Hideo Hoshide Interview I Segment 43 (ddr-densho-1000-184-43)
vh Hideo Hoshide Interview I Segment 43 (ddr-densho-1000-184-43)
Dealing with difficult living conditions in Pinedale: no privacy, incredible heat, shared facilities
Hideo Hoshide Interview I Segment 41 (ddr-densho-1000-184-41)
vh Hideo Hoshide Interview I Segment 41 (ddr-densho-1000-184-41)
Impressions of Pinedale Assembly Center; working for the newspaper, the Pinedale Logger
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