Camp Manzanar Research Paper

Camp Manzanar stretched out over of a total of 6000 acres. Housing took up 500 acres, leaving the other 5,500 acres for military homes, sewage and the reservoir. Surrounded by barbed wire, there were 504 barracks that were divided into 34 blocks. Night and day, guards patrolled the area heavily. Leaving no privacy what so ever, forcing everyone to share showers, toilets and laundry rooms. Eight individuals shared one room and was given an oil stove, a light bulb, blankets, furniture and a mattress made of straw. Making it particularly harsh in times of bad weather. During the summer time temperatures rose to 110 degrees. In the winter, temperatures dipped below freezing. To make the most of the it, evacuees started The Boys and Girls Club.

At Camp Harmony, the evacuees slept in makeshift housing that was made from animal enclosures. It was also very crowded, didn’t have a lot of food and nothing was clean. Little privacy as 250 people had to share only two bath houses. By working in the camp, it proved one’s loyalty. Boredom was an everyday occurrence, so the camp was nicknamed Camp Harmonotony.

This camp was well known for its treacherous weather. Bringing with it huge dust storms, high heat, and frigid cold winters. Nearly housing 9,400 people, it made up Idaho’s eighth largest city. The one thing different with this camp compared to the others, was that it was known as the camp of loyal internees. In part, due to the loyalty questionnaire that the government came up with. If someone answered yes to certain questions, they were considered loyal and given opportunities in the military, in schools, or even work. Out of all the internment camps, Camp Minidoka had the highest number of volunteers for joining the army. The Evacuees build schools, hospitals, fire station, even a library. They also had programs for orchestras, and even sports