1. Topics

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 (1435)
Living conditions (1764)

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

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1764 items
Sewing and wash tubs at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp (ddr-csujad-55-1371)
img Sewing and wash tubs at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp (ddr-csujad-55-1371)
Scrapbook page containing four black and white photographs depicting the laundry and mending facilities at the Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp. Includes a photograph of three Japanese women. From the Mary F. Clark scrapbook, "Before I Forget, 1942-1947," page 42. See also sac_jaac_1334 through sac_jaac_1529. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese …
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1371/
Gila River War Relocation Center (ddr-csujad-55-2481)
doc Gila River War Relocation Center (ddr-csujad-55-2481)
Illustration of a typical block and barrack layout at Gila River incarceration camp. Includes camp data and statistics. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2587
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2481/
Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting, January 31, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-443)
doc Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting, January 31, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-443)
Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting. Includes reports on maintenance and housing. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0445
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-443/
Block 207 log (October 8, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1122)
doc Block 207 log (October 8, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1122)
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_1124
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1122/
Block 207 log (November 2, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1142)
doc Block 207 log (November 2, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1142)
Recording log submitted by Kazuo Kushida, a manager, and 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 …
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1142/
Block 12 requisition to Maintenance Dept. (ddr-csujad-55-957)
doc Block 12 requisition to Maintenance Dept. (ddr-csujad-55-957)
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_0959
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-957/
Block 207 log (October 1, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1116)
doc Block 207 log (October 1, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1116)
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 remarks about the lack of adequate facilities. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American …
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1116/
Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting, November 30, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-328)
doc Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting, November 30, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-328)
Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting. Includes discussion on wages, clothing allowances, agricultural program, and films. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0330
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-328/
Personal property form, WCCA-Form FRB-2 (ddr-csujad-55-123)
doc Personal property form, WCCA-Form FRB-2 (ddr-csujad-55-123)
Personal property and household items inventory form. WCCA-Form FRB-2. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0125
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-123/
Block 207 log (October 17, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1130)
doc Block 207 log (October 17, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1130)
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 remarks on the County Fair. See this object in the California …
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1130/
Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting, November 15, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-316)
doc Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting, November 15, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-316)
Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting. Includes discussion on Fair Practice Committee, school construction, Japanese literature, resignation of Judicial Commissioners, clothing allowances, and Heart Mountain Club, and a request made to the Japanese American Citizens League. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0318
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-316/
Block 207 log (November 27, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1165)
doc Block 207 log (November 27, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1165)
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 …
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1165/
Minutes from the Heart Mountain Community Council meeting, October 19, 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-482)
doc Minutes from the Heart Mountain Community Council meeting, October 19, 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-482)
Minutes from the Heart Mountain Community Council meeting. Includes subcommittee reports and discussion on transportation and heating. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0484
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-482/
Block 207 log (January 19, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1216)
doc Block 207 log (January 19, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1216)
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_1218
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1216/
Notice from C.E. Rachford, Project Director, Heart Mountain Relocation Project, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-726)
doc Notice from C.E. Rachford, Project Director, Heart Mountain Relocation Project, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-726)
Memorandum of understanding from C. E. Rachford to incarcerees regarding housing and barracks assignments at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0728
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-726/
Rohwer outpost, vol. 3, no. 15 (August 21, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-2518)
doc Rohwer outpost, vol. 3, no. 15 (August 21, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-2518)
Newspaper published at Rohwer incarceration camp covering news, updates, camp services, and events. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2624
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2518/
Block 207 log (January 24, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1221)
doc Block 207 log (January 24, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1221)
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_1223
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1221/
Block 207 log (January 20, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1217)
doc Block 207 log (January 20, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1217)
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_1219
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1217/
Crayon drawing of Poston barracks (ddr-csujad-55-1887)
img Crayon drawing of Poston barracks (ddr-csujad-55-1887)
Drawing by Kaz Hironaka in crayon or pastel depicting barracks at Poston incarceration camp surrounded by a patriotic motif including an eagle with an American flag. Piece included in the spring art exhibit at Poston incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1890
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1887/
Block 207 log (November 18, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1156)
doc Block 207 log (November 18, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1156)
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 …
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1156/
Heart Mountain Block 12 quarters (ddr-csujad-55-737)
doc Heart Mountain Block 12 quarters (ddr-csujad-55-737)
List of select units in Block 12 at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0739
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-737/
Heart Mountain sentinel (September 11, 1943): Zootsuo (ddr-csujad-55-1011)
img Heart Mountain sentinel (September 11, 1943): Zootsuo (ddr-csujad-55-1011)
Comic strip created by Bennie Nobori, published in "Heart Mountain Sentinel" at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Satirical cartoon features caricatures of a young boy, Zootsuo, and an American Indian "genie." Includes verso in Japanese. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1013
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1011/
Wintertime at Amache incarceration camp (ddr-csujad-55-1582)
img Wintertime at Amache incarceration camp (ddr-csujad-55-1582)
Black and white photograph depicting barracks and trees covered in snow during the winter at Amache incarceration camp. From the Amache Co-op Souvenir Album, page 36. See also sac_jaac_1530. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1584
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1582/
Block 207 log (November 10, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1149)
doc Block 207 log (November 10, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1149)
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 …
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1149/
Block 207 log (November 20, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1158)
doc Block 207 log (November 20, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1158)
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 …
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1158/
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