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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.
These are the meeting minutes from Utah's County Commissioners on the subject of Japanese American relocation, held in the state capitol on March 16, 1942. The manuscript has a list of responses from various counties as to whether or not they would…
These are some monetary notes that were circulated during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines during World War II. Filipinos dubbed this money "mickey mouse money" which implies that it was fake.
This is an article from "All Aboard" which was a literary magazine that was published in Topaz in the Spring of 1944, written by 7th grade students at Topaz High. This article records several experiences and stories from the lives of these students…
Hiro Katayama wrote this article which was included in "All Aboard," which was a literary and art magazine published by Japanese Americans in 1944 at Topaz. This article discusses the difficulties that youth encountered at Topaz, including boredom…
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…
This is a World War II Official Navy Poster, created by Hotchkiss-USNR in 1944. The poster describes Japanese labor capabilities, and by doing so, attempts to encourage American workers to increase their own efforts on the homefront.
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.
This photo was taken at Topaz in September of 2019 by Alyson Griggs. This barbed wire lettering is located next to the Topaz Monument at the Topaz Site.
USS WEST VIRGINIA and USS ARIZONA smoking after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Japanese American boy standing in front of barracks at Topaz. Back of the photo reads "Sumida."
Elementary school children in the classroom, teacher visible in the background.
Written in October 1942 to staff of the War Relocation Authority, this paper stresses the importance of understanding the cultural background of the Japanese Americans living in relocation centers. It describes common behavior patterns among the…
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.
A former boy scout troop from Los Angeles performs at the Topaz Hospital dedication.
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 photo was taken at Topaz in September of 2019 by Alyson Griggs at the Topaz Museum in Delta, Utah. This is a refurbished recreation hall. The recreation halls were built to house a variety of activities. Some became cantinas, while others became…
This copy of the "Tanforan Totalizer" Vol 1, No. 19 is the final issue of the magazine published on September 12, 1942. This issue includes a history of life at Tanforan and is by far the largest issue. It also includes an introduction to the Topaz…
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…
Lines to eat at Tanforan Race Track, an assembly center. Many of the Japanese Americans at Tanforan would be relocated to Topaz Relocation Center.
Topaz High students present the American Flag before the start of a football game between Topaz High School and Millard County High School.
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."
Guidebook to the Central Utah Relocation Project in Topaz, Utah describes to incoming residents the layout, facilities, and services of the center. Illustrated by Yuri Sugihara, the guidebook contains maps, building layouts, a diagram of the "Topaz…
A group of Topaz High School students studying in a barrack or rec hall.
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 …
Illustration from Mine Okubo's "Citizen 13660" depicting a High School class at Topaz.
Illustration from Mine Okubo's "Citizen 13660" showing the sawdust covered Tanforan horse stalls where some Japanese Americans were housed in the assembly center.
This photo was taken at Topaz in September of 2019 by Alyson Griggs at the Topaz Museum in Delta, Utah. This is the interior of the barracks replica. All of the furniture—except the beds—were created by Japanese Americans at Topaz.
This photo was taken at Topaz in September of 2019 by Alyson Griggs at the Topaz Museum in Delta, Utah. This is the interior of the refurbished recreation hall at the Topaz Museum. The recreation halls were built to house a variety of activities.…
Japanese American men and adolescents clearing sagebrush to create room for animal forage and gardening.
Illustration from Mine Okubo's "Citizen 13660" which shows Japanese Americans gathered around a pot belly stove.
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.