Research: Poston Relocation Camp
Location: La Paz County, Arizona, 12 miles south of Parker and 15 miles west of the Colorado River.
Land: Colorado River Indian Reservation.
Size: 71,000 acres
Peak population: 17,814
Date of peak: September 30, 1942
Opening date: May 8, 1942
Closing Dates:
Camp I: November 28, 1945
Camp II: November 28, 1945
Camp III: November 28, 1945
Climate: Desert: summer temperatures reached 125 degrees. The average daily high temperatures for July, August, and September 1942 were 109.6, 104.0, and 99.7 degrees, respectively. Though not as bad as some other camps, duststorms were also a problem here.
Population Origins:
Of the 17,814 Americans held prisoner here...
8,952 prisoners were from Los Angeles, CA prisoners were from 0
3,972 were from Fresno, CA prisoners were from 1
2,797 were from Santa Barbara, CA prisoners were from 2
1,815 were from San Joaquin, CA prisoners were from 3
1,695 were from Contra Costa and Ventura Counties, CA prisoners were from 4
Industry: A camouflage net factory operated from Fall 1942, to May 1943; a model warship factory produced 900 models for the navy.
History: Poston was unique in being located on Native American reservation land and was initially under joint WRA-Office of Indian Affairs administration. The camp was divided into three units (Poston I, II, and III) and was the largest of all the WRA camps. In November 1942, a strike occurred at Poston over poor conditions and community tensions. The camp's agricultural program was extensive, producing food for both internal consumption and other camps. Despite the harsh desert conditions, internees established schools, created gardens, and maintained cultural activities. The camp's location on Indian land created complex relationships between internees, administrators, and the local Native American population.