Near Jerome in Jerome County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)
Running a Camp
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 8, 2019
1. Running a Camp Marker
Captions: (lower left) Administrative Area
The WRA administrative area was separate from the internees' residential blocks. Some 31 office and staff housing buildings made up the camp's administrative area. (Enlarge the photograph to view the layout); (middle right) Project Director Harry L. Stafford poses at his desk with internees.
The WRA administrative area was separate from the internees' residential blocks. Some 31 office and staff housing buildings made up the camp's administrative area. (Enlarge the photograph to view the layout); (middle right) Project Director Harry L. Stafford poses at his desk with internees.
War Relocation Authority (WRA) administration buildings lined the road where you stand. The main complex stood here, four barracks-style buildings tied together with a central passage. Camp Project Director Harry L. Stafford had his office here.
WRA civilian workers supervised the work and daily lives of the nearly 10,000 internees confined here. The WRA tried to set up a semblance of self-government, appointing block managers and block delegates as camp representatives. But the WRA only allowed Nisei (American-born Japanese) to hold such positions. Issei (first-generation immigrants) were denied these roles, which undermined their traditional roles as community leaders and patriarchs.
Internees held jobs within the administrative area and throughout the camp. For many, however, the wages were too low for paying their mortgages and other obligations.
Position/Monthly wage: Unskilled workers (laborers, farmhands)/$12; Skilled workers (carpenters, nurses)/$16; Professionals (doctors/engineers)/$19
The ill fortunes of war struck deep in the case of Japanese-Americans and their elders. Beguiled of their worldly goods and treasures, these folk were rushed away to the ramparts of incarceration to endure a shattered composure -- Harry L. Stafford, Project Director Minidoka Relocation Center,
this page online
Erected by Minidoka National Historic Site, National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • War, World II.
Location. 42° 40.709′ N, 114° 14.995′ W. Marker is near Jerome, Idaho, in Jerome County. Marker is at the intersection of 1400 East and Hunt Road, on the left when traveling north on 1400 East. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 298 1400 East, Jerome ID 83338, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Censored Mail (within shouting distance of this marker); Honor Roll (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Question of Loyalty (about 300 feet away); Minidoka National Historic Site (about 300 feet away); On Guard (about 300 feet away); Soothing Waters (about 400 feet away); Minidoka Relocation Center (about 400 feet away); Symbols of Imprisonment (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jerome.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 8, 2019
2. Running a Camp Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 30, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 141 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 30, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
