Imagine going to the post office or grocery store one day and seeing signs posted telling you and the local community to pack up and evacuate. You are given one week to close out your business dealings, pack up your family, and drive to an assembly center. From there, the United States government, under the direction of the War Relocation Authority, transports you and your family to what they called a “relocation center” (but today we know them as internment camps).
This is what happened to approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans from 1942-1945, here in the United States.
Most of whom were United States citizens.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, people of Japanese descent living here in the United States were labeled ‘alien enemies’, despite the fact that many were American citizens. As xenophobia and fear spread across the country, Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which authorized the military to create exclusion zones and then to remove Japanese Americans from these zones.
They were then bussed to ten different “relocation centers” spread across the United States but mostly concentrated in the western portion of the country.
The Amache Camp, also known as the Granada War Relocation Center, was a Japanese internment camp located in Granada, Colorado. Now, preserved as a memorial and NPS site, Amache National Historic Site, shares the history and resilience of its former Japanese American residents.
It was a solemn experience driving and walking around the grounds. There are several reconstructed buildings, guard towers, old foundations, a memorial wall, and a cemetery that honors 121 internees who died at the site, as well as, 31 Japanese Americans who served in the 442nd Infantry Regiment. It was quite moving to stand before the memorial and to reflect on the lives of these individuals.
Despite the injustice, many Japanese American internees volunteered to serve in the war as part of the 442nd regiment. After the war, President Truman acknowledged their sacrifice and predicament when he said, “You fought not only the enemy, but you fought prejudice–and you have won.” The 442nd Regimental Combat Team is still one of the most decorated units in US military history, earning 4,000 purple hearts and 21 medals of honor, along with 18,000 individual decorations.
Visiting Amache was a stark reminder that injustice happens even in our own backyard. Just how strong (or fragile) are civil rights? It made me wonder about how to prevent such atrocities in the future. Amache reminds me that we must continue to work against racism and injustice.
And…walking through the museum and reading the stories of those who lived at Amache…I am also reminded just how resilient humans can be.
Things to Know for Your Visit:
- There is a museum! The Amache Museum is located about 5 minutes east of the historic site entrance, in the town of Granada, Colorado. They have artifacts and objects donated by survivors. I definitely recommend visiting before or after your site visit.
- There is a self-guided auto tour of the Amache National Historic Site.
- The location is on the High Plains and therefore watch out for cactus and possibility of rattlesnakes.
- Thanks to the Amache Preservation Society for their efforts to maintain this historic and special site. And to the National Park Service for helping to preserve and share American history….even the challenging parts.
- Visit with Respect.
- Additionally, Amache NHS has one of the best Junior Ranger booklets I’ve ever seen from an NPS site! Yes, they have the NPS passport stamp and Junior Ranger program located at the Amache Musuem!
Wilderness & Rye 