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
Block 207 log (November 16, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1154)
doc Block 207 log (November 16, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1154)
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-55-1154/
Map, section of Heart Mountain (ddr-csujad-55-727)
img Map, section of Heart Mountain (ddr-csujad-55-727)
Map of buildings at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Includes barracks, schools, hospital, and administration buildings. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0729
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-727/
Aerial view of Amache (ddr-csujad-55-1329)
img Aerial view of Amache (ddr-csujad-55-1329)
Black and white photograph depicting an aerial view of Amache incarceration camp. Caption reads: Granada Relocation Center, Amache, Colorado. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1331
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1329/
Block 207 log (September 26, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1112)
doc Block 207 log (September 26, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1112)
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 camp school facilities. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American …
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1112/
Block 207 log (November 30, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1168)
doc Block 207 log (November 30, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1168)
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-55-1168/
Letter from Tom Yamamoto to Waegell family, April 25, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-55)
doc Letter from Tom Yamamoto to Waegell family, April 25, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-55)
Handwritten correspondence from Tom Yamamoto to the Waegells describing the weather, conditions, sleeping arrangements, food, administration, and daily life at Topaz incarceration camp in Utah. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_00059
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-55/
Map, Heart Mountain block (ddr-csujad-55-875)
img Map, Heart Mountain block (ddr-csujad-55-875)
Map of Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Depicts barracks, schools, administration, and medical facilities. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0877
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-875/
Letter from Shoji Nagumo to Mr. Donald Camber, June 14, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-876)
doc Letter from Shoji Nagumo to Mr. Donald Camber, June 14, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-876)
Correspondence from Shoji Nagumo to Donald Camber regarding a request for Camber to send Nagumo's personal belongings to Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Includes a hand-drawn map of Nagumo's home. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0878
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-876/
Sociology essay (ddr-csujad-55-1918)
doc Sociology essay (ddr-csujad-55-1918)
Sociology essay written by Bob Oriba[?] for a class assignment at Tri-State High School at Tule Lake incarceration camp. Covers lack of childcare, food shortage and other social problems. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1921
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1918/
Block 207 log (October 23, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1134)
doc Block 207 log (October 23, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1134)
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_1136
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1134/
Block 207 log (December 21, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1189)
doc Block 207 log (December 21, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1189)
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 …
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1189/
Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting, April 24, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-453)
doc Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting, April 24, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-453)
Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting. Includes report from Housing Committee and discussion on ambulance service. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0455
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-453/
Block 207 log (January 26, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1223)
doc Block 207 log (January 26, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1223)
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_1225
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1223/
Letter from Minnie Umeda to Mrs. Margaret Waegell, February 25, 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-67)
doc Letter from Minnie Umeda to Mrs. Margaret Waegell, February 25, 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-67)
Handwritten correspondence from Minnie Umeda to Margaret Waegell. Umeda discusses conditions in the Jerome incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_00071
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-67/
Block 207 log (December 6, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1174)
doc Block 207 log (December 6, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1174)
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-55-1174/
Block 207 log (October 28, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1138)
doc Block 207 log (October 28, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1138)
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-55-1138/
Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting, October 31, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-305)
doc Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting, October 31, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-305)
Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting. Includes discussion on fire insurance, recreation programs, and camp amenities. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0307
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-305/
Block 207 log (January 5, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1203)
doc Block 207 log (January 5, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1203)
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_1205
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1203/
Pencil drawing of Poston barracks and garden (ddr-csujad-55-1894)
img Pencil drawing of Poston barracks and garden (ddr-csujad-55-1894)
Pencil drawing depicting barracks with a garden at Poston incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1897
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1894/
Block 207 log (December 20, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1188)
doc Block 207 log (December 20, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1188)
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 …
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1188/
Block 207 log (October 27, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1137)
doc Block 207 log (October 27, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1137)
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-55-1137/
Block 207 log (December 5, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1173)
doc Block 207 log (December 5, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1173)
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-55-1173/
Block 207 log (September 25, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1111)
doc Block 207 log (September 25, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1111)
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 delayed advances to incarcerees. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American …
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1111/
Jerome camp barracks and south side (ddr-csujad-55-1326)
img Jerome camp barracks and south side (ddr-csujad-55-1326)
Black and white photograph depicting the south side of the barracks and pond at Jerome incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1328
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1326/
First we see some of the homes (ddr-csujad-55-1364)
img First we see some of the homes (ddr-csujad-55-1364)
Scrapbook page containing six black and white photographs depicting barracks at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp. Includes images of quadriplex, triplex, duplex, and shelter living quarters. Title from caption. From the Mary F. Clark scrapbook, "Before I Forget, 1942-1947," page 35. See also sac_jaac_1334 through sac_jaac_1529. See this object in the California State Universities …
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1364/
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