5001 Hwy. 395, (760) 878-2194. Visitor Center open daily 9-4:30; site open daily dawn-dusk. Free.
The original inhabitants of this desolate, 1-square-mile spot that was once home to apple orchards (“manzanar” means apple orchard in Spanish) were Paiute Indians, who were massacred and forced out. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1942, the area became one of 10 bleak U.S. internment camps that were used to detain 11,000 Japanese Americans. They were considered a potential threat to the nation and were held against their will beginning in March of 1942. Most camp inhabitants here were from San Pedro, California and Bainbridge Island, Washington.
When the Manzanar War Relocation Center closed after World War II in 1945, most of the buildings were either moved elsewhere or dismantled and sold as scrap. The prisoners left in November of 1945 and were given just $25 and a bus ticket to wherever they wanted to go. Over the years, this site has become a peaceful, beautiful spot, with sagebrush and trees and the Sierra peaks visible in the distance.
The Visitor Center at Manzanar National Historic Site, which opened in 2004, was originally built by internees in 1944 as a high school auditorium. Now it is home to state-of-the-art exhibits that are thoughtful and enlightening as well as disturbing. Begin your visit with a viewing of the excellent documentary movie “Remembering Manzanar,” which gives a voice to the 11,000 people who endured incarceration here, then browse the museum, and move on to the out buildings--barracks, women’s latrine, and mess hall--which because they were rebuilt to code were reconstructed better than they were originally built. A self-guided tour weaves through these buildings, providing plenty of food for thought.
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| Visitor Center at Manzanar National Historic Site in Independence, California |
The original inhabitants of this desolate, 1-square-mile spot that was once home to apple orchards (“manzanar” means apple orchard in Spanish) were Paiute Indians, who were massacred and forced out. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1942, the area became one of 10 bleak U.S. internment camps that were used to detain 11,000 Japanese Americans. They were considered a potential threat to the nation and were held against their will beginning in March of 1942. Most camp inhabitants here were from San Pedro, California and Bainbridge Island, Washington.
When the Manzanar War Relocation Center closed after World War II in 1945, most of the buildings were either moved elsewhere or dismantled and sold as scrap. The prisoners left in November of 1945 and were given just $25 and a bus ticket to wherever they wanted to go. Over the years, this site has become a peaceful, beautiful spot, with sagebrush and trees and the Sierra peaks visible in the distance.
The Visitor Center at Manzanar National Historic Site, which opened in 2004, was originally built by internees in 1944 as a high school auditorium. Now it is home to state-of-the-art exhibits that are thoughtful and enlightening as well as disturbing. Begin your visit with a viewing of the excellent documentary movie “Remembering Manzanar,” which gives a voice to the 11,000 people who endured incarceration here, then browse the museum, and move on to the out buildings--barracks, women’s latrine, and mess hall--which because they were rebuilt to code were reconstructed better than they were originally built. A self-guided tour weaves through these buildings, providing plenty of food for thought.
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| U.S. flag flies at Manzanar National Historic Site in Independence, California |
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| site map at Manzanar National Historic Site in Independence, California |
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| ranger at Manzanar National Historic Site in Independence, California |
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| overview of reconstructed buildings at Manzanar National Historic Site in Independence, California |
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| inside barracks at Manzanar National Historic Site in Independence, California |
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| exterior of women's latrine at Manzanar National Historic Site in Independence, California |
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| view from women's latrine at Manzanar National Historic Site in Independence, California |
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| showers in women's latrine at Manzanar National Historic Site in Independence, California |
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| toilets in women's latrine at Manzanar National Historic Site in Independence, California |
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| exterior of mess hall at Manzanar National Historic Site in Independence, California |
More things to do along Highway 395.
More things to do in nearby Yosemite.
More ideas for exploring Northern California.
images ©2018 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
Thanks for this. Unfortunately, this era of American history isn't really over yet, is it? We need reminders to help us remember not to repeat these mistakes again.
ReplyDeleteThanks for bringing this to our attention. I heard of such interment camps for the Japanese but this is the first one I have seen in pictures.
ReplyDeleteThough always difficult to process, these sites are so necessary when it comes to remembering the history of this country. Thank you for sharing this visit with us- may we all learn from these tragedies.
ReplyDeleteSuch an important history lesson to remember. I appreciate you bringing Manzanar National Historic Site into focus for me.
ReplyDeleteI've only driven 395 a few times and missed visiting Manzanar National Historic Site each time. What a shame! I've heard of this World War II camp --- what a terrible time. Thanks for the pics and information on this historic site.
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