San Bruno in San Mateo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Tanforan Assembly Center Commemorative Garden

Photographed by I.G.V.Atajar, December 9, 2009

1. Tanforan Assembly Center Commemorative Garden Marker

Inscription. This garden memorializes a time when this site, then the Tanforan Park Racetrack, was transformed into a temporary assembly center for persons of Japanese ancestry. On February 19, 1942, in the absence of charges or due process of law, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066. This act set into motion the forced evacuation of 7800 San Francisco Bay Area Japanese Americans, who lived under armed guard for eight months in horse stalls and makeshift housing at the Tanforan Assembly Center. They, along with 120,000 Japanese American residing in the western states, were later forcibly removed to, and confined in, government detention camps in the nation's interior.

May we honor this period of history by our remembrance and just action.

Erected 2007 by Former internees of Tanforan, descendants of the Internees and other generous individuals and organizations. (Marker Number 934.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Civil Rights • Notable Places • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1914.

Location. 37° 38.128′ N, 122° 25.151′ W. Marker

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is in San Bruno, California, in San Mateo County. It can be reached from Tanforan Way east of El Camino Real, on the right when traveling east. Marker and garden are located at the entrance to the Tanfaran Mall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1150 El Camino Real, San Bruno CA 94066, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area

and on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Seabiscuit (a few steps from this marker); First Shipboard Landing (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tanforan Racetrack Japanese Assembly Center (about 300 feet away); Transportation Evolution (approx. ¾ mile away); Development of Industry in the Area (approx. ¾ mile away); Cut Stone Bridge (approx. ¾ mile away); State Theater/State Room (approx. 1.4 miles away); Martin Building (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Bruno.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. - Additional California Assembly Centers.

Additional keywords. Japanese Americans

Photographed by I.G.V.Atajar, December 9, 2009

2. Tanforan Assembly Center Commemorative Garden Marker

Photographed by I.G.V.Atajar, December 9, 2009

3. Seabiscuit

This monument to Seabiscuit is located next to this marker. See "Nearby Marker" for additional information.

The Shops at Tanforan (Grand Opening) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by I.G.V.Atajar, December 9, 2009

4. The Shops at Tanforan (Grand Opening)

Now closed (in 2022).

Credits. This page was last revised on October 29, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 15, 2009, by I.G.V.Atajar of San Jose, California. This page has been viewed 2,350 times since then and 32 times this year. Last updated on January 25, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 15, 2009, by I.G.V.Atajar of San Jose, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.