Arcadia in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Santa Anita During World War II
Photographed By Denise Boose, October 24, 2009
1. Santa Anita During World War II Marker
Pursuant to Executive Order 9066 signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, from March 30, 1942 until October 27, 1942 the facility was used as an assembly and processing center for approximately 20,000 Japanese Americans prior to their displacement to interment camps in other areas of the country.
From 1942 until 1945, the government utilized the property as an Army Base – Camp Santa Anita. It was the largest Army ordnance training center on the West Coast and more than 100,000 soldiers were trained there.
Racing resumed at Santa Anita on May 15, 1945, just after “VE” Day.
This plaque is placed at Santa Anita in remembrance of the events of that period in history by its dedication on this, the 15th day of May 2001.
Erected 2001. (Marker Number 934.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Civil Rights • Sports • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1907.
Location. 34° 8.307′ N, 118° 2.766′ W. Marker is in Arcadia, California
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Seabiscuit (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Santa Anita Park (about 700 feet away); Santa Anita Depot (approx. 0.4 miles away); Baldwin Lake (approx. 0.4 miles away); American Indian Artifact (approx. 0.4 miles away); Reid-Baldwin Adobe (approx. 0.4 miles away); Chamber of Commerce Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arcadia.
More about this marker. This is California Historical Landmark No. 934, one of twelve temporary detention stations in the state with the same marker number.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. - Additional California Assembly Centers.
Also see . . . Camp Santa Anita. Located at the world-famous Santa Anita Racetrack, the Santa Anita Assembly Center was the longest occupied assembly center, used for 215 days, from March 27 to October 27. It was also the largest assembly center,
Photographed By Craig Baker, March 26, 2022
2. Santa Anita and Marker
Photographed By Denise Boose, October 24, 2009
3. Santa Anita
Photographed By Dorothea Lang, April 1, 1942
4. An unidentified U.S. Navy veteran of Japanese ancestry
(a retired "officer's steward or cook, first-class") reports for internment at Santa Anita in April 1942. He seems to flaunt his old service uniform and decorations - with an air of disdain for the arm band-wearing Nisei "trustees" in charge of his in-processing.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 17, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 3,141 times since then and 141 times this year. Last updated on January 25, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1. submitted on February 17, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 2. submitted on March 28, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on February 17, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 4. submitted on May 21, 2013, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
