Rohwer War Relocation Camp (central area)

 Second World War 1939-1945, place with historical importance, concentration camp, NRHP - National Register of Historic Places, historic landmark, U.S. National Historic Landmark

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An internment camp for Japanese-American citizens forcibly removed from California, mainly Los Angeles and the San Joaquin Valley, Open from 18 September 1942 through 30 November 1945 and held up to 8,475 inmates, including entire families and children.

The actual boundaries of the camp, which included 10,161 acres, were much larger, but this was the area surrounded by a barbed wire fence and towers with armed guards. The remaining area of the camp was agricultural or swampy.

No complete buildings survive today, but the camp cemetery, a concrete water reservoir, a 100' smokestack, some segments of paved streets, and part of the abandoned railway line remain.

In addition to the Wikipedia link, below, a fairly comprehensive history of the camp and its current state can be found at: www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/anthropology74/ce11...

The Wikipedia article lists various notable internees, but the best-known is George Takei, the actor who subsequently played Hikaru Sulu in the Star Trek original TV series and related movies, and who became an outspoken advocate for same-sex marriage and LGBTQ rights. His family was interned here when George was age 5, but was subsequently moved to the Tule Lake War Relocation Camp in California. In May 2013, Takei spoke at the dedication of the Jerome-Rohwer Interpretive & Visitor's Center, located not far from here in McGehee. That site serves as a small museum dedicated to this internment camp site, as well as a second one that was located in the town of Jerome.