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
Block 12 requisition to Maintenance Dept. (ddr-csujad-55-734)
doc Block 12 requisition to Maintenance Dept. (ddr-csujad-55-734)
Form for the Maintenance Division to replace equipment in Block 12 at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Signed by acting manager, Shoji Nagumo. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0736
Truth about Jap camps (ddr-csujad-55-336)
doc Truth about Jap camps (ddr-csujad-55-336)
Article describing the author's opposition to the incarceration of Japanese during World War II. She describes her visit to Poston incarceration camp including the living conditions, amenities, governance, jobs, labor, and wages. Reprinted from Liberty magazine. Includes photographs. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0338
Letter from Kenneth Hori to George, December 5, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-2547)
doc Letter from Kenneth Hori to George, December 5, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-2547)
Correspondence from Kenneth Hori to George regarding the weather, school, southern accents, and rationing (i.e. gasoline and cards). See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2654
Block 12 requisition to Maintenance Dept. (ddr-csujad-55-960)
doc Block 12 requisition to Maintenance Dept. (ddr-csujad-55-960)
Requisition form for the replacement of window glass for Block 12 at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0962
Block 207 log (October 26, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1136)
doc Block 207 log (October 26, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1136)
Recording log submitted by May Taketaya, 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 Universities Japanese American Digitization project …
Block 12 requisition to Maintenance Dept. (ddr-csujad-55-958)
doc Block 12 requisition to Maintenance Dept. (ddr-csujad-55-958)
Requisition form for supplies for Block 12 at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0960
War ration book one, OPA form no. R-302, Donna Miyeko Nakamura (ddr-csujad-55-2453)
doc War ration book one, OPA form no. R-302, Donna Miyeko Nakamura (ddr-csujad-55-2453)
Booklet of war ration stamps belonging to Donna Miyeko Nakamura during World War II. OPA Form No. R-302. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2559
Block 207 log (September 14, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1101)
doc Block 207 log (September 14, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1101)
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_1103
Block 207 log (February 1, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1229)
doc Block 207 log (February 1, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1229)
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_1231
Block 207 log (November 21, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1159)
doc Block 207 log (November 21, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1159)
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 …
Tule Lake: at this segregation center are 18,000 Japanese considered disloyal to U.S. (ddr-csujad-55-2502)
doc Tule Lake: at this segregation center are 18,000 Japanese considered disloyal to U.S. (ddr-csujad-55-2502)
Pictorial report published in "Life Magazine" detailing life and living conditions in Tule Lake incarceration camp. Covers segregation, facilities, co-ops, administration, and daily life in the incarceration camp.
Block 207 log (September 17, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1104)
doc Block 207 log (September 17, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1104)
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 the need for directional signage in the woods. See this object in the California …
Commentary about hardships of working at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp (ddr-csujad-55-1392)
doc Commentary about hardships of working at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp (ddr-csujad-55-1392)
Scrapbook page containing commentary by Clark regarding hardships at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp. See sac_jaac_1395 through sac_jaac_1401 for hardships referred to by the author. From the Mary F. Clark scrapbook, "Before I Forget, 1942-1947," page 60. See also sac_jaac_1334 through sac_jaac_1529. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project …
Block 207 log (December 3, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1171)
doc Block 207 log (December 3, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1171)
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 (January 3, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1201)
doc Block 207 log (January 3, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1201)
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_1203
Block 207 log (January 14, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1212)
doc Block 207 log (January 14, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1212)
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_1214
Letter from Tom Yamamoto to Ma & Pa Waegell, November 28, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-56)
doc Letter from Tom Yamamoto to Ma & Pa Waegell, November 28, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-56)
Typed correspondence from Tom Yamamoto to the Waegells describing conditions in Topaz incarceration camp and current events. Yamamoto comments on the situation in France during World War II, the position of the War Relocation Authority on jobs for incarcerees, and working conditions in the camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization …
Map of center (ddr-csujad-55-39)
img Map of center (ddr-csujad-55-39)
Map of buildings and services at the Jerome incarceration camp including offices, stores, schools, and ball fields. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_00043
Block 207 log (December 22, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1190)
doc Block 207 log (December 22, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1190)
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 …
Pencil drawing of Poston barracks and cactus (ddr-csujad-55-1893)
img Pencil drawing of Poston barracks and cactus (ddr-csujad-55-1893)
Pencil drawing by Sachiye Mizuki depicting barracks with cacti in the foreground at Poston incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1896
Block 207 log (December 16, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1184)
doc Block 207 log (December 16, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1184)
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 20, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1131)
doc Block 207 log (October 20, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1131)
Recording log submitted by May Taketaya, 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 remarks on the cold conditions in the barracks. See this …
Unemployment compensation (ddr-csujad-55-884)
doc Unemployment compensation (ddr-csujad-55-884)
Petition regarding unemployment compensation at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0886
Block 207 log (November 26, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1164)
doc Block 207 log (November 26, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1164)
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 (November 7, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1147)
doc Block 207 log (November 7, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1147)
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 …
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