Manzanar, meaning “Apple Orchard” in Spanish, was founded in 1910. Within a year, it had a population of approximately 200. Trees lined the streets, and meadows, corn and alfalfa fields surrounded the community. It was a pretty place with apple, peach, and pear orchards. A two-roomed schoolhouse, general store, a post office and even a town hall was built to accommodate the growing population. People were happy.
In the 1920s, Los Angeles’s city began purchasing the land and water rights. Lake Owens was drained to supply water for the greedy city, and the land became barren. It wasn’t long before the residence started to relocate and the area became deserted.
Why Was Manzanar Turned into a Camp?
During World War II, the US Army purchased the town, and in 1942 turned Manzanar into a concentration camp confining 10,000 Japanese Americans and Japanese immigrants. Most were incarcerated for up to three years.
Businesses and homes were sold or lost. Possessions left behind, and families and friends were separated. Children were torn from their adopted caucasian parents and placed in an orphanage on site, even though most were born American citizens.
Eight guard towers manned by soldiers were erected, and search-lights were installed facing inwards. High, barbed-wire fences enclosed the one square mile camp.
We pass an abandoned guard tower on the way in which once instilled absolute fear. The silence that now resides in this place is in stark contrast to its formal life. In a way, you almost feel as if you are disturbing the eerie stillness as you approach.
The camp was self-sufficient with a school, a hospital and a post office. Accommodation was small, cramped and shoddily built with little to no privacy. Dust storms and extreme temperatures were a common occurrence.
Old basketball courts where some semblance of normalcy could have been achieved deteriorate under the harsh sun today.
Five hundred of the detainees were put to work at the camouflage net factory to assist with the war effort.
Manzanar was just one of ten camps, and a total of 120,000 (of which 70,000 were US citizens) were deprived of their freedom.
Mess Hall
The mess hall, a hub of activity and time for socialising, now only captures the sounds of wayward wind gusts.
Manzanar Camp Cemetery
Over 150 people died during the camp’s occupancy. Fifteen were buried in the cemetery, of which only six graves remain. A lone monument remains to honour those who lost their lives at Manzanar.
At the end of World War II, Manzanar closed. Its occupants were forced to leave, many with nowhere to go.
Most buildings were quickly torn down, and little remains of the “relocation” camp today.
It would be several decades before any would receive compensation for all that they lost. In 1988, $20,000 was paid to every surviving internee. But no amount of money could buy the freedom that had been unjustly taken from them.
In 1992, Manzanar was designated a National Historic Site.
Our Takeaway
The serene setting just off the 395 with the towering mountains differs so much from what took place here. It looks so peaceful, inviting, beautiful and memorable, but it was a nightmare for many.
On top of having done nothing wrong in the first place, can you imagine having everything taken from you? Being placed in a camp and forced to work for those who have incarcerated you? Then have that ripped away, leaving you with absolutely nothing and nowhere to go?
That stain, unfortunately, can’t be washed away from this place, leaving the feeling of uneasiness all around. You almost feel as though the lost souls stand silently, just out of reach and sight, watching your every step.
There is a small park where hopefully, those restless spirits can find some tranquillity.
manzanar camp – in a nutshell
- Located along Highway 395, near Lone Pine – 200 miles north of Los Angeles
- Free to drive around – 3.2-mile self-guided driving tour
- Museum (free)
- Nearby locations
manzanar location map
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