Adventure 003, Site 085-Merced Internment Camp

Gary at the Merced Interment Center Plaque

Capture California, the Game-2013

Adventure: 003, Site 085-Merced Internment Camp

California Landmark Number:935

Team: YOLT

Date:  September 18, 2013

Location:

Coordinates: 37° 17.48′ N, 120° 29.104′ W

Address: 900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Merced, CA

Description:

Last year we became interested in what happened during World War II to the Japanese -Americans. We visited several internment center sites, including the Merced Fairgrounds. It is moving to see the extent of the forced exile of these people.

From the California Office of Historical Preservation:

NO. 934 TEMPORARY DETENTION CAMPS FOR JAPANESE AMERICANS-MERCED ASSEMBLY CENTER - This was one of 15 temporary detention camps established during World War II to incarcerate persons of Japanese ancestry, a majority of whom were American citizens, without specific charges or trial. From May to September 1942, 4,669 residents of Northern California were detained until permanent relocation camps were built. May the injustices and humiliation suffered here as a result of hysteria, racism, and economic exploitation never recur.
Location: Merced County Fairgrounds, 'J' St at 7th St, adjacent to parking lot at entrance to fairgrounds, Merced

References:

• Wikipedia
• Noehill
• Historical Marker Database (HMDB.org)
• Waymarking
• History of Prejudice about Japanese
• Merced Sun-Star on Memories of Japanese Americans
  

Overall Landmark References:

• David Schmitt's California State Historical Landmark (Schmitt)
• Wikipedia: California's National Landmarks (WCNL)
• State of California's California Historical Landmarks (CHL)
• Wikipedia: California State Landmarks (WCSL)
• State of California Historical Resources (CHR)
• Noehill (NOE)
• Historical Marker Database (HMDB)
• WayMarking (WAY)