Crystal City in Zavala County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

World War II Concentration Camp

1943 - 1946

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 31, 2014

1. World War II Concentration Camp Marker

Inscription.
Due to circumstances beyond their control and consequences of a war between the United States and Japan, peoples of Japanese ancestry, both nationals and U.S. citizens alike, were arbitrarily and without justification, incarcerated in a concentration camp at this location during World War II.

This marker is situated on an original foundation of a two-family cottage as a reminder that the injustices and humiliations suffered here as a result of hysteria, racism and discrimination never happen again.

Dedicated by the sons, daughters and friends of the families who were detained in this camp, with cooperation of the City of Crystal City and the Crystal City Independent School District.

November 1985

Erected 1985 by Sons, daughters, friends and families of those who were detained in this camp, City of Crystal City, Crystal City Independent School District.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Man-Made Features • War, World II.

Location. 28° 41.462′ N, 99° 49.484′ W. Memorial is in Crystal City, Texas, in Zavala County.

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It is at the intersection of North 7th Avenue (Farm to Market Road 1433) and Popeye Lane, on the right when traveling north on North 7th Avenue. Marker is located in southwest corner of vacant lot (former internment camp site), adjacent to the Crystal City High School Baseball field. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 104 Popeye Lane, Crystal City TX 78839, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in the Hill Country.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: World War II Enemy Alien Internment (here, next to this marker); Crystal City Family Internment Camp, World War II (here, next to this marker); Confinement Site - History of Crystal City Family Internment Camp (a few steps from this marker); Living and Working in an Internment Camp (about 600 feet

World War II Concentration Camp Marker (<i>front view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 31, 2014

2. World War II Concentration Camp Marker (front view)

away, measured in a direct line); Zavala County (approx. 0.8 miles away); Burleson Cemetery (approx. 9.6 miles away); Dimmit County Courthouse (approx. 11.9 miles away).

More about this memorial. Marker is a large, grey, granite cube with inscription on top. It is located on the very small foundation of a former two-family cottage.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. Crystal City (Family) Internment Camp. Texas Historical Commission PDF:
(includes many photos and details about the internment camp)
When the internment camp opened in December 1942, the site was approximately 240 acres in size, with 41 small three-room cottages and 118 one-room shelters (measuring 12x16 feet). Twelve of the original cottages were left outside the “fenced area” (100 acres in size) for use by official personnel and their families. (Submitted on December 12, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. The Legacy of Crystal City’s Internment Camps. Texas Observer website entry:
Missing from the 1985 monument is any mention of German, Italian

World War II Concentration Camp Marker (<i>side view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 31, 2014

3. World War II Concentration Camp Marker (side view)

and Latin American prisoners. The omission is consistent with national trends: While Japanese-Americans received a formal U.S. government apology and reparations in 1988, the same has not happened for the smaller camp populations of other backgrounds. The Japanese-American internment is documented in history textbooks, the 1994 bestseller Snow Falling on Cedars and a musical starring George Takei. (Submitted on December 13, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. Texas Matters: The Secret History Of The Crystal City WWII Internment Camp. Texas Public Radio website entry (Submitted on August 4, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

World War II Concentration Camp Marker (<i>wide view showing adjacent marker</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 31, 2014

4. World War II Concentration Camp Marker (wide view showing adjacent marker)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 12, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 720 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 12, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.