Camp pilgrimages

Annual pilgrimages to the sites of former camps have become important events in the Japanese American community. They are an opportunity for former camp inmates to visit places that dramatically affected their lives, as well as a way for younger generations to learn the history of the Japanese American incarceration. Often the pilgrimages last for a few days and include workshops, tours of the former campsites, and memorial services to honor those who died while incarcerated.

Reflections on the past (655)
Camp pilgrimages (292)

Related articles from the Densho Encyclopedia :
Camp pilgrimages, Sue Kunitomi Embrey, Warren Furutani

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img Family at a camp pilgrimage (ddr-densho-62-1)

Watanabe family visiting the former site of Tule Lake concentration camp, California.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-62-1/

img Camp warehouse (ddr-densho-11-5)

This building, now a potato-processing plant, was formerly a produce-processing and storage facility at the Tule Lake concentration camp.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-11-5/

img Tule Lake pilgrimage (ddr-densho-11-4)

Pilgrimage attendees examine an old latrine foundation from Block 73. The holes were for toilets, which were situated at each end of the facility. Group showers were in the middle.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-11-4/

img Tule Lake pilgrimage (ddr-densho-11-1)

Jimi Yamaichi (right) pointing out something to Stan Shikuma at the former site of the Tule Lake concentration camp.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-11-1/

img Cross erected by camp inmates (ddr-densho-11-7)

This cross, erected by inmates at the Tule Lake concentration camp, sits on top of a formation called Castle Rock. It is being approached by pilgrimage attendees.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-11-7/

img Memorial honoring deceased camp inmates (ddr-densho-11-12)

This memorial honors Japanese Americans who died while incarcerated at the Tule Lake concentration camp. The marker is located at the Linkville cemetery in Klamath Falls, Oregon.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-11-12/

img Pilgrimage attendees on Castle Rock (ddr-densho-11-6)

Tule Lake inmates erected this cross on top of a formation called Castle Rock. The area below the cross is the former site of the concentration camp.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-11-6/

img Tule Lake pilgrimage (ddr-densho-11-2)

Pilgrimage attendees barracks located on the property of a local farmer. Castle Rock is in the background.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-11-2/

img Memorial plaque (ddr-densho-11-11)

This plaque was placed at the base of the cross on Castle Rock on October 2, 1982. The plaque honors Christian ministers who served the inmates at the Tule Lake concentration camp.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-11-11/

img Tule Lake pilgrimage (ddr-densho-11-3)

Pilgrimage attendees barracks located on the property of a local farmer. Castle Rock is in the background.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-11-3/

img Evening program, Tule Lake pilgrimage (ddr-densho-11-9)

At the Tule Lake pilgrimage, an evening program was held to honor the inmates and remember the incarceration experience. The person shown here is playing a shime taiko drum while slides taken during the incarceration are being shown in the background.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-11-9/

img Former camp inmates, Tule Lake pilgrimage (ddr-densho-11-10)

These Japanese Americans were incarcerated at Tule Lake, California. They are at the Linkville cemetery for a service honoring Japanese Americans who died at the camp during World War II. There is a marker at the Linkville cemetery honoring Japanese Americans who died at the Tule Lake concentration camp.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-11-10/

img Stockade wood-burning stove (ddr-densho-11-8)

In 1943, Tule Lake concentration camp became a segregation center. A stockade was built to detain those who were considered security risks by the WRA. This wood-burning stove was used to help heat the stockade.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-11-8/

img Exterior of barracks (ddr-densho-35-5)

These barracks housed Japanese Americans during World War II. There were approximately twelve barracks to a block and six apartments per barracks. Each apartment was 100 x 20 feet and housed one family. The exterior of these barracks have remained virtually untouched since World War II.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-35-5/

img Barracks graffiti (ddr-densho-35-12)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-35-12/

img Current view of the Minidoka concentration camp (ddr-densho-35-27)

This is the remainder of the Minidoka concentration camp, which was located in the wastelands of Idaho. Currently, the area is used for agriculture. A few structures as well as several monuments mark the site of the camp's 1942 location.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-35-27/

img Current view of the Minidoka concentration camp (ddr-densho-35-28)

Remainder of the Minidoka concentration camp. Currently, the area is used for agriculture. According to a former camp inmate, this chimney is from a room that was used as a waiting area for camp visitors.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-35-28/

img Current view of the Minidoka concentration camp (ddr-densho-35-30)

Remains of the Minidoka concentration camp. According to a former camp inmate, this is the entry to a waiting room for camp visitors.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-35-30/

img Exterior of barracks (ddr-densho-35-42)

Local farmers currently own several barracks from the Tule Lake concentration camp. Some barracks have been made into homes, while others, like the one shown here, have been converted into storage areas.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-35-42/

img Guard tower foundation (?) (ddr-densho-35-3)

This foundation remnant, presumably from a guard tower, is located outside the barbed-wire fence surrounding the stockade.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-35-3/

img Former site of Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho (ddr-densho-35-32)

The Minidoka concentration camp was located in the wastelands of southern Idaho. Currently, very few structures remain and the land is used for agriculture. Part of the camp existed in this area in the 1940s.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-35-32/

img Exterior of barracks and Castle Rock (ddr-densho-35-4)

These barracks are now on the property of a Tule Lake farmer. A rock formation that the Japanese Americans called "Castle Rock" can be seen in the background. After obtaining permission to go through the gates, camp inmates could climb to the top of the formation.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-35-4/

img Current view of barn on former Issei dairy farm (ddr-densho-35-47)

An Issei couple operated a large dairy farm in a town formerly known as Days, Washington. The 1,300 acre farm had a property line that extended beyond the area shown here. With the advent of World War II, the Nakashimas were forced to sell their property for a fraction of its worth. This is the interior …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-35-47/

img Exterior of barracks (ddr-densho-35-15)

These barracks are one of two owned by a local farmer. The exterior has not been renovated.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-35-15/

img Artifacts, Tule Lake concentration camp (ddr-densho-35-38)

The Tule Lake Museum, located on the fairgrounds, displays artifacts from the Tule Lake concentration camp. Shown here are parts of a wooden crate that presumably held items belonging to a camp inmate. The 27213 designation was probably the owner's family number.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-35-38/