ALL ITEMS
Sort by:
All
M. Yubuki created this hand drawn map of evacuation, which was published in "All Aboard" in 1944, a literary and art magazine published in Topaz. Included on the map are eight relocation centers as well as major cities in the western United States.
This is a notice posted by the Western Defense Command on May 5, 1942. This poster directs all Japanese Americans to report to the Civilian Control Station and gives them a week to settle their affairs and leave their homes.
This is an excerpt from "The Education Program Central Utah Relocation Center" which is an explanation of the curriculum for both the elementary schools and high school at Topaz. This provides some introduction to how Topaz High was structured and…
This is an excerpt from "The Education Program Central Utah Relocation Center" which is an explanation of the curriculum for both the elementary schools and high school at Topaz. Also included is a brief history of the education program. This …
This is an excerpt from "The Education Program Central Utah Relocation Center" which is an explanation of the curriculum for both the elementary schools and high school at Topaz. Also included is a brief history of the education program. This…
This is an excerpt from "A Fence Away From Freedom," edited by Ellen Levine. This item explores Kay Uno's memories of Pearl Harbor as a child on the West Coast. Kay Uno was later interred at the Granada Colorado relocation center.
Japanese Americans working in a strawberry patch, caption reads: "In the strawberry patch, Wada, founder of colony, talks things over with the superintendent of a neighboring mine.
Image of high school students waiting for an assembly meeting.
Photograph of internees pounding dough to make mochi (a sticky Japanese rice cake) for New Years.
Photograph of workers clearing fields for agricultural use. Some of the works appear to be adolescents.
Photo of an adult night class at Topaz. There were many night classes at Topaz that taught adults subjects from English language and Americanization to Psychology.
Photograph of Topaz "residents" arriving at Topaz. Luggage is piled high next to barracks.
Japanese American girl standing in front of drying laundry hanging outside of barrack.
Japanese American boy standing in front of barracks at Topaz. Back of the photo reads "Sumida."
Wanto Company Grocery store in California with sign, "I AM AN AMERICAN" in 1942. Once relocation was ordered, Japanese Americans were forced to sell their businesses and leave their jobs regardless of loyalty to the United States.
Relocation sign from Mr. and Mrs. K. Iseri in California in 1942. It reads: "Many thanks for your patronage. Hope to serve you in near future. God be with you till we meet again."
Lines to eat at Tanforan Race Track, an assembly center. Many of the Japanese Americans at Tanforan would be relocated to Topaz Relocation Center.
This is the first issue of the "Topaz Times Jr.," the Topaz High newspaper, published on December 23, 1944. Later, the name was changed to "The Topazette," and it included a section for the jr. high. This issue announces a school play as well as…
This is an excerpt from "Japanese American Youth in Topaz Relocation Center Utah: An Oral History," which is a thesis written by Akiko J. Tohmatsu in 1994. In this thesis, Tohmatsu interviews several Japanese American students who attended Topaz…
This is an excerpt from "Japanese American Youth in Topaz Relocation Center, Utah: An Oral History," which is a thesis written by Akiko J. Tohmatsu in 1994. In this thesis, Tohmatsu interviews several Japanese American students who attended Topaz…
Ramblings '44 is the second yearbook produced by the Associated Students of Topaz High School. Covering the school year September 1943 through June 1944, it describes the scholastic activities and accomplishments of Japanese American students…
Japanese American students interned at the Topaz Relocation Center produced high school yearbooks during the 1943 and 1944 school years. The introduction to the 1943 yearbook provides some insight into the unusual nature of their school: "The Topaz…
This is an oral history with Donald Nakahata, who was 12 at the time of evacuation and 15 by the time he left Topaz. Nakahata discusses his impressions and recollections of his internment experience.
This is an article from "All Aboard" which was a literary magazine that was published in Topaz in the Spring of 1944. Henry Tani was the author while Tamiko Kosakura was the illustrator. This article describes briefly the format and brief history of…
Illustration from Mine Okubo's "Citizen 13660" showing the first High School Graduation.
Illustration from Mine Okubo's "Citizen 13660" depicting a High School class at Topaz.
Illustration from Mine Okubo's "Citizen 13660" showing the first Christmas at Topaz.
Illustration from Mine Okubo's "Citizen 13660" which shows Japanese Americans gathered around a pot belly stove.