One of the darkest chapters in U.S. history involves the Minidoka War Relocation Center, one of the internment camps set up during World War II to imprison Japanese Americans. Many of these individuals were U.S. citizens who had been uprooted from their homes. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066 mandated the exclusion of people of Japanese ancestry from the West Coast, though this order did not extend to Japanese Americans in places like Hawaii.
Minidoka War Relocation Center
Minidoka was one of ten such camps across the United States, forcibly housing over 120,000 people of Japanese origin from 1942 to 1945. Nearly 13,000 people lived at Minidoka during its operation. Located in Jerome County, Idaho, the camp was locally known as “Hunt Camp.” The site spanned 33,000 acres, including over 900 acres of housing blocks. While many buildings have since been demolished, some still stand for visitors to see.
When the first detainees arrived, the camp was still being built. Essential facilities, including housing and plumbing, were hastily or poorly constructed. Some prisoners even had to assist in building the very camp in which they were incarcerated. Many arrived on trains with closed blinds, unaware of their destination. Minidoka housed people from Washington, Oregon, and Alaska.
Life at the Camp
Life at Minidoka was tough. The high desert climate of southern Idaho brought intense summers and harsh winters, making conditions even more difficult. The camp was divided into 36 residential blocks, each containing 12 barracks, a mess hall, and latrines. Each barrack had six units for families or individuals, yet the dividers were incomplete, with poor insulation and heating.
The latrines offered little privacy, featuring simple rows of toilets and showers without partitions. The environment was particularly challenging for those from the Pacific Northwest who weren’t accustomed to such extreme temperatures.
Despite the harsh conditions, the detainees tried to create some semblance of normal life. Various small businesses sprang up to provide services like haircuts, while children formed sports teams. Families grew, with births and deaths occurring within the camp. They did their best to make the experience bearable.
Visiting the Camp
Minidoka is the second internment camp I visited, following Manzanar. Unlike Manzanar, which has few remaining buildings, Minidoka still features some original structures. The experience is deeply emotional. During my visit to Manzanar, I found myself surrounded by former prisoners and their descendants, a powerful reminder of the personal impact of these events.
Walking the trails through the camp and seeing areas like the guard booths brought the grim history to life. What struck me most, however, were the exhibits in the Visitor Center. The film narrated by George Takei, lasting about 30 minutes, is particularly poignant. It delves into the prejudice and fear that fueled this dark period in American history.
Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial
Bainbridge Island, off the coast of Washington State, was the first area designated for exclusion under Executive Order 9066. On March 30, 1942, Japanese American residents were gathered at the ferry dock and sent to Manzanar before being transferred to Minidoka. The National Park Service now administers the Bainbridge Island Memorial as part of the Minidoka National Historic Site. I haven’t yet visited, but hope to on my next trip to Washington.
Basic Information
Address:
1428 Hunt Rd, Jerome, ID 83338
Hours:
10:00 am – 5:00 pm, open from May 27 to September 4. The Visitor Center closes in the winter, but the trails and grounds are open weather permitting.
Visitor Center:
The center features exhibits on the history of the site and the exclusion order. A film is shown every half hour and is worth the watch.
National Park Passport Stamp:
Minidoka passport stamps are available at the Visitor Center. Another stamp for Minidoka can be found at the Bainbridge Historical Museum.
Website: Official NPS Site
Getting There
Minidoka National Historic Site:
– From the West: Take I-84E to exit 165. Follow ID-25E for about 18 miles toward Jerome. Turn onto Hunt Road, and you’ll see signs for Minidoka.
– From the East: Take I-84W to exit 188 for Valley Rd toward Eden. Follow ID-25W to S Eden Road for about 11 miles and turn left onto Hunt Road.
Bainbridge Island:
Located at Pritchard Park, 4192 Eagle Harbor Drive, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110. Take the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island. Detailed directions are available on the NPS website.
Posts on Other Nearby Places:
– Visiting Shoshone Falls, Idaho
– Full List of National Park Units in Idaho
– Visiting Hemingway’s Grave in Ketchum, Idaho
– Guide to Craters of the Moon National Monument
