Minidoka War Relocation Center

Minidoka War Relocation Center (1942-1945) - One of ten World War II Relocation Centers built to house West Coast Japanese U.S. Citizens and resident aliens for the duration of the war with Japan. Established under Executive Order 9066, signed by President Franklin Roosevelt in February 1942. Initially established by the military Wartime Civil Control Authority (WCCA) and became the Minidoka War Relocation Center run by the civilian War Relocation Authority (WRA). The camp was built starting in 1942 The center was located near Jerome in Jerome County, Idaho. Closed in 1945. Minidoka WRC Mess Hall. Minidoka WRC Visitor Center. History Established in 1942, the Relocation Center was built by the Morrison-Knudsen Company. The center became the Minidoka War Relocation Center run by the civilian War Relocation Authority (WRA). Minidoka WRC Remains of Camp Entrance & Reception Center Buildings with Guard Tower in Background.. The relocation centers were not considered by authorities to be either concentration camps or internment camps but the perception was otherwise. Barbed wire fencing enclosed most of the of the living area, the guard towers with searchlights and the military police were always visible. Minidoka War Relocation Center Timeline Date Event Notes Early 1942 Site Chosen 5 Jun 1942 Construction Began 10 Aug 1942 Operations Began 1 Mar 1943 Max Population 9,397 28 Oct 1945 Operations Ended and last occupants departed Residential Areas Plans for facilities at the center included 44 residential blocks however only 35 residential blocks were constructed at Minidoka leaving the remainder empty. Each built block had fifteen, 20' by 100' barracks structures and five service buildings. The service buildings included a 40' by 100' mess hall, a 20' by 50' laundry, two latrines and an ironing room. These buildings were all temporary military-style Theater of Operations (TO) structures of wood frame construction with tar paper covering the outer walls and roof. These buildings were designed to last two years but because of the heat, dry climate, and green lumber, the buildings began to deteriorate early. The buildings were not insulated or properly partitioned for family groups. Other Facilities Other facilities at the center included most of the infrastructure that would be required for any town of 10,000. The administrative area included admin buildings, a town hall, post office, mess hall, police station and staff housing. There was a warehouse group & motor pool group. Other groups included a Hospital & Orphanage Group, schools and fire protection. Agricultural facilities included a hog farm and chicken ranch as well crop fields. The military police provided external security. Closed on 28 Oct 1945 when the last evacuee departed. Current Status Now part of Minidoka National Historic Landmark. The Visitor Center Building is open Friday thru Sunday from May 26th to September 3rd. The center is open for self-guided tours all year long. Guided tours are available at 11 am on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer season when the Visitor Center is open. The guided tour includes a walking tour of the center with entry to two buildings, the Barracks and Mess Hall, which are being restored to better reflect the original buildings, they are currently mostly empty (2023}. Location: Near Jerome, Jerome County, Idaho. Maps & Images Lat: 42.679 Long: -114.244 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 3,968' GPS Locations: 42.679, -114.244 Minidoka WRC 42.67995, -114.24079 Demonstration Bldgs See Also: WWII War Relocation Centers Sources: Burton, Farrell, Lord, and Lord, Confinement and Ethnicity: An Overview of World War II Japanese American Relocation Sites, Western Archeological and Conservation Center, National Park Service, 1999 (rev. July 2000), NPS Online Book. Wyatt, Barbara, Ed, Japanese Americans In World War II, National Park Service, August 2012, Washington DC, Pdf. Links: Minidoka National Historic Site Minidoka War Relocation Center Visited: 27 Aug 2023