Near Ralston in Park County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
Administrative Area:
Relocation Camp Administration & Governance
The civilian War Relocation Authority (WRA) ran the relocation camps. Initially headed by Milton Eisenhower and later by Dillon S. Myer, WRA used the Army as "security." Policies governing camp life were strictly defined by the WRA and carried out by the Project Directors, C.E. Rachford, and after December, 1942, Guy Robertson.
The Heart Mountain staff numbered about 200 persons divided into seven sections. These included: legal services, reports, internal operations, relocation, community management, supply, and finance. Except at the top levels, the turnover of Caucasian employees was high.
Internees were allowed a form of self-government that guided many of the important functions of relocation life.
The Project Directors appointed one person from each block as a Block Manager to handle daily problems with housing, repair, maintenance and the mess hall.
In 1943, the internees established and ratified the Charter of Heart Mountain Relocation Center to establish internal justice and promote the welfare of their community.
The Charter created the position of Councilman, elected by each block for a six-month term to consult with WRA officials about internal problems. The Block Managers were usually Issei - the foreign born generation, while the Councilmen were U.S. citizens whose first language was English.
Although living in Wyoming, internees could not vote as citizens in Wyoming. However, they could vote absentee ballots in their hometown elections.
Erected by Heart Mountain, Wyoming Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • War, World II.
Location. 44° 40.193′ N, 108° 56.956′ W. Marker is near Ralston, Wyoming, in Park County. Marker can be reached from Road 19 near Lane 15, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1474 Road 19, Ralston WY 82440, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Heart Mountain High School: (a few steps from this marker); Swimming Hole: (within shouting distance of this marker); Barracks Living Area: (within shouting distance of this marker); Relocation Center Support Facilities (within shouting distance of this marker); Agriculture and Root Cellars (within shouting distance of this marker); Heart Mountain Relocation Center Honor Roll and Flag Pole (within shouting distance of this marker); Daniel K. Inouye (within shouting distance of this marker); M.P. Station, Guard Tower, Rail & Train Station (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ralston.
More about this marker. Heart Mountain Relocation Camp is located off of the Powell Highway (U.S. Highway 14A) about 6 miles south of Ralston. This marker is located on the Setsuko Saito Higuchi Memorial Walking Tour near Heart Mountain Relocation Center Memorial Park.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 2, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 331 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 2, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.