Gila River, Arizona
Opened in July 1942
Canal Camp closed September 28,1945
Butte Camp closed November 10, 1945
The camp was so large that it had to be split into two different camps; Canal and Butte
Its peak population was 13,348 people
It was located on the Gila River Indian Reservation about 50 miles southeast of Phoenix
During the war it was Arizona's 4th largest city
The average summer temp was 104 degrees and has been known to reach 125 degrees
The buildings were constructed of wood frame and white beaverboard and they had a special double-roof design with red, fireproof shingles on top that provided effective protection from the heat. Evaporative coolers in each building helped make the spaces livable during summer. Canal camp had over 400 buildings; including 232 barracks for living, 16 mess halls, 34 latrine and shower buildings and many more. Each Barrack was 20X100 square feet and divided into four single family apartments Butte Camp had over 800 buildings; including 637 residential buildings, 46 of which were used for schools, and 6 for churches.
The camp was originally meant to only hold 10,000 people but as it reached its peak at almost 14,000 there was major over crowding problems. They had chronic water shortages, unrelenting heat, rattlesnakes and scorpions. When there wasnt enough room for all the internees in the camp they would have to sleep in the mess halls.
There was an active Japanese American Citizens league, as well as Boy Scouts, American Legion, Girl Scouts and many other groups in order to help integrate the Japanese into American culture.
Canal Camp closed September 28,1945
Butte Camp closed November 10, 1945
The camp was so large that it had to be split into two different camps; Canal and Butte
Its peak population was 13,348 people
It was located on the Gila River Indian Reservation about 50 miles southeast of Phoenix
During the war it was Arizona's 4th largest city
The average summer temp was 104 degrees and has been known to reach 125 degrees
The buildings were constructed of wood frame and white beaverboard and they had a special double-roof design with red, fireproof shingles on top that provided effective protection from the heat. Evaporative coolers in each building helped make the spaces livable during summer. Canal camp had over 400 buildings; including 232 barracks for living, 16 mess halls, 34 latrine and shower buildings and many more. Each Barrack was 20X100 square feet and divided into four single family apartments Butte Camp had over 800 buildings; including 637 residential buildings, 46 of which were used for schools, and 6 for churches.
The camp was originally meant to only hold 10,000 people but as it reached its peak at almost 14,000 there was major over crowding problems. They had chronic water shortages, unrelenting heat, rattlesnakes and scorpions. When there wasnt enough room for all the internees in the camp they would have to sleep in the mess halls.
There was an active Japanese American Citizens league, as well as Boy Scouts, American Legion, Girl Scouts and many other groups in order to help integrate the Japanese into American culture.