Living conditions

All of the camps were constructed according to the War Department's specifications, which included barbed-wire fences, guard towers, and armed guards around the perimeter. The camps were organized in "blocks" consisting of twelve to fourteen barracks, a mess hall, communal showers and toilets, laundry facilities, and a recreation hall. Each barracks was divided into four or six rooms with each room housing one family, no matter how large, and there was no running water. The furnishings that Japanese Americans found on their arrival were canvas cots, a potbellied stove, and a single bare light bulb. The thin walls offered little protection from the harsh weather, which ranged from 110 degrees in the summer to 25 degrees below zero on winter nights. The flimsy construction allowed no privacy and made normal family life difficult. Camp inmates improved their own living conditions by creating interior walls and partitions, constructing furniture from scrap lumber, and planting gardens.

World War II (231)
Concentration camps (1454)
Living conditions (1770)

Related articles from the Densho Encyclopedia :
Arts and crafts in camp, Community analysts, Manzanar Children's Village

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1770 items
Inside some of the homes (ddr-csujad-55-1370)
img Inside some of the homes (ddr-csujad-55-1370)
Scrapbook page containing five black and white photographs of the interiors of barracks at the Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp. Includes a photograph of a group of three individuals (most likely internees). Title from caption. From the Mary F. Clark scrapbook, "Before I Forget, 1942-1947," page 41. See also sac_jaac_1334 through sac_jaac_1529. See this …
Block 207 log (October 10, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1124)
doc Block 207 log (October 10, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1124)
Recording log covering daily activities and events in Block 207 at Poston II incarceration camp. Includes the following topics: I. Staff, II. Block Activities, III. Emergencies, IV. Visitors, V. Memorandums, VI. Remarks, VII. Miscellaneous, and VIII. Managers Notes. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1126
Block 207 log (January 9, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1207)
doc Block 207 log (January 9, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1207)
Recording log covering daily activities and events in Block 207 at Poston II incarceration camp. Includes the following topics: I. Staff, II. Block Activities, III. Emergencies, IV. Visitors, V. Memorandums, VI. Remarks, VII. Miscellaneous, and VIII. Managers Notes. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1209
Block 207 log (December 10, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1178)
doc Block 207 log (December 10, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1178)
Recording log submitted by Kazuo Kushida, a manager, covering daily activities and events in Block 207 at Poston II incarceration camp. Includes the following topics: I. Staff, II. Block Activities, III. Emergencies, IV. Visitors, V. Memorandums, VI. Remarks, VII. Miscellaneous, and VIII. Managers Notes. Includes brief comments on the ""Camp 1 situation."" See this object in …
Greenery, roads, and walks being built by housing at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp (ddr-csujad-55-1367)
img Greenery, roads, and walks being built by housing at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp (ddr-csujad-55-1367)
Scrapbook page containing six black and white photographs depicting barracks and housing at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp. Includes images of three unidentified Japanese children and two unidentified individuals. From the Mary F. Clark scrapbook, "Before I Forget, 1942-1947," page 38. See also sac_jaac_1334 through sac_jaac_1529. See this object in the California State Universities …
War ration book no. 3, OPA form no. R-130, Aie Yokota (ddr-csujad-55-220)
doc War ration book no. 3, OPA form no. R-130, Aie Yokota (ddr-csujad-55-220)
Booklet of war ration stamps belonging to Aie Yokota incarcerated in Tule Lake camp. OPA Form No. R-130. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0222
Block 207 log (September 15, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1102)
doc Block 207 log (September 15, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1102)
Recording log covering daily activities and events in Block 207 at Poston II incarceration camp. Includes the following topics: I. Staff, II. Block Activities, III. Emergencies, IV. Visitors, V. Memorandums, VI. Remarks, VII. Miscellaneous, and VIII. Managers Notes. Includes brief remarks on a situation involving lumber. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American …
Block 207 log (September 16, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1103)
doc Block 207 log (September 16, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1103)
Recording log covering daily activities and events in Block 207 at Poston II incarceration camp. Includes the following topics: I. Staff, II. Block Activities, III. Emergencies, IV. Visitors, V. Memorandums, VI. Remarks, VII. Miscellaneous, and VIII. Managers Notes. Includes brief remarks on Toru Asada. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project …
Requisition to replace from Block 12 to Engineering Division, Heart Mountain (ddr-csujad-55-731)
doc Requisition to replace from Block 12 to Engineering Division, Heart Mountain (ddr-csujad-55-731)
Form for mechanical equipment to be requisitioned and replaced in Block 12 facilities at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Signed by manager, Shoji Nagumo. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0733
Block 207 log (November 6, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1146)
doc Block 207 log (November 6, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1146)
Recording log submitted by Kazuo Kushida, a manager, and Mabel Okino, a secretary, covering daily activities and events in Block 207 at Poston II incarceration camp. Includes the following topics: I. Staff, II. Block Activities, III. Emergencies, IV. Visitors, V. Memorandums, VI. Remarks, VII. Miscellaneous, and VIII. Managers Notes. See this object in the California State …
Block 207 log (January 16, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1214)
doc Block 207 log (January 16, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1214)
Recording log covering daily activities and events in Block 207 at Poston II incarceration camp. Includes the following topics: I. Staff, II. Block Activities, III. Emergencies, IV. Visitors, V. Memorandums, VI. Remarks, VII. Miscellaneous, and VIII. Managers Notes. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1216
Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting, August 13, 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-437)
doc Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting, August 13, 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-437)
Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting. Includes discussion on food, relocation, and clothing allowances. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0439
Minutes from the Heart Mountain Community Council meeting, January 25, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-516)
doc Minutes from the Heart Mountain Community Council meeting, January 25, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-516)
Minutes from the Heart Mountain Community Council meeting. Includes discussion on administration, clothing, and "relocation." See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0518
Block 207 log (December 4, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1172)
doc Block 207 log (December 4, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1172)
Recording log submitted by Kazuo Kushida, a manager, covering daily activities and events in Block 207 at Poston II incarceration camp. Includes the following topics: I. Staff, II. Block Activities, III. Emergencies, IV. Visitors, V. Memorandums, VI. Remarks, VII. Miscellaneous, and VIII. Managers Notes. Includes brief comments on the "Camp 1 situation." See this object in …
Block 207 log (October 12, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1125)
doc Block 207 log (October 12, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1125)
Recording log covering daily activities and events in Block 207 at Poston II incarceration camp. Includes the following topics: I. Staff, II. Block Activities, III. Emergencies, IV. Visitors, V. Memorandums, VI. Remarks, VII. Miscellaneous, and VIII. Managers Notes. Includes brief remarks on "evacuee" labor. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project …
Block 207 log (September 22, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1108)
doc Block 207 log (September 22, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1108)
Recording log covering daily activities and events in Block 207 at Poston II incarceration camp. Includes the following topics: I. Staff, II. Block Activities, III. Emergencies, IV. Visitors, V. Memorandums, VI. Remarks, VII. Miscellaneous, and VIII. Managers Notes. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1110
Block 207 log (January 7, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1205)
doc Block 207 log (January 7, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1205)
Recording log covering daily activities and events in Block 207 at Poston II incarceration camp. Includes the following topics: I. Staff, II. Block Activities, III. Emergencies, IV. Visitors, V. Memorandums, VI. Remarks, VII. Miscellaneous, and VIII. Managers Notes. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1207
Clothing (ddr-csujad-55-883)
doc Clothing (ddr-csujad-55-883)
Petition regarding an increase in clothing allowances at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0885
Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting, December 29, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-390)
doc Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting, December 29, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-390)
Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting. Includes discussion on coupons, wages, and recreation. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0392
Block 207 log (January 23, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1220)
doc Block 207 log (January 23, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1220)
Recording log covering daily activities and events in Block 207 at Poston II incarceration camp. Includes the following topics: I. Staff, II. Block Activities, III. Emergencies, IV. Visitors, V. Memorandums, VI. Remarks, VII. Miscellaneous, and VIII. Managers Notes. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1222
Lil Dan'l: one year in a relocation center (ddr-csujad-55-341)
img Lil Dan'l: one year in a relocation center (ddr-csujad-55-341)
Comic strip depicting the life of a fictional character, Lil Daniel, at Rohwer incarceration camp. Covers topics related to everyday life at an incarceration camp including arrival, clothing allowances, facilities, sports, holidays, seasons, gardening, and leisure activities. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0343
Block 207 log (December 12, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1180)
doc Block 207 log (December 12, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1180)
Recording log submitted by Kazuo Kushida, a manager, and Mabel Okino, a secretary, covering daily activities and events in Block 207 at Poston II incarceration camp. Includes the following topics: I. Staff, II. Block Activities, III. Emergencies, IV. Visitors, V. Memorandums, VI. Remarks, VII. Miscellaneous, and VIII. Managers Notes. Includes brief comments on the "Camp 1 …
Block 207 log (January 1, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1199)
doc Block 207 log (January 1, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1199)
Recording log covering daily activities and events in Block 207 at Poston II incarceration camp. Includes the following topics: I. Staff, II. Block Activities, III. Emergencies, IV. Visitors, V. Memorandums, VI. Remarks, VII. Miscellaneous, and VIII. Managers Notes. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1201
Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting, October 27, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-302)
doc Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting, October 27, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-302)
Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting. Includes discussion of a night coal crew, disaster relief services, and winter clothing allowances. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0304
Housing assignment (ddr-csujad-55-2381)
doc Housing assignment (ddr-csujad-55-2381)
Housing assignment for the Nakamura family, probably at Tule Lake incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2487
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