Manzanar National Historic Site near Independence in Inyo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Enduring Humiliation

Manzanar Latrine

Photographed by Craig Baker, May 15, 2026

1. Enduring Humiliation Marker

Inscription.
Cherry Yamada Uyeda never forgot her first impression of Manzanar: "It was devastating... the worst thing [was] what they call the latrine... this separate little shack, building, the toilets lined up, and you'd wonder, 'What is this? Is this for us?'"

In each block, two latrines - one for women and one for men - served about 300 people. Women's latrines had ten toilets, men's had eight and a urinal. Francis Kikuchi recalled, "The pots were sitting right next to each other...if you're going, you're sitting there rubbing elbows."

Although the women's latrines (and some of the men's) did get partitions between the toilets, many people never forgot the humiliation of those early months using a latrine.

Manzanar showers also lacked privacy. "We all had to take a shower together, you know, that one big room," Aiko Alice Inouye remembered. "So I went at midnight. And everybody else, all the other women had the same idea."

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • War, World II.

Location. 36° 43.664′ N,

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118° 9.019′ W. Marker is near Independence, California, in Inyo County. It is in Manzanar National Historic Site. It can be reached from Manzanar Reward Road west of U.S. 395. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5001 US-395, Independence CA 93526, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sierra Nevada.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

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 walking distance of this marker: "Zeal for Cleanliness" (within shouting distance of this marker); Community Activities (within shouting distance of this marker); Pressing Needs (within shouting distance of this marker); "Waiting in a Breadline" (within shouting distance of this marker); Made in Manzanar (within shouting distance of this marker); Mess Halls of Manzanar (within shouting distance

Photographed by Craig Baker, May 15, 2026

2. Enduring Humiliation Marker

of this marker); Crowded Quarters (within shouting distance of this marker); "That's What You Call Survival" (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Independence.

Photographed by Craig Baker, May 15, 2026

3. Latrine

Enduring Humiliation image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, May 15, 2026

4. Enduring Humiliation

Photographed by Craig Baker, May 15, 2026

5. Showers

Men’s Latrine Foundation image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, May 15, 2026

6. Men’s Latrine Foundation

Women’s Latrine (rebuilt) is in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 4, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.