Rohwer Location & Map

Location: Mississippi River Delta, southeastern Arkansas Address: 33591 AR-1, McGehee, AR 71654 (cemetery and memorial site) Coordinates: 33.7978°N, 91.3547°W Elevation: Approximately 130 feet

Rohwer War Relocation Center was located in the agricultural flatlands of southeastern Arkansas:

10 miles west of McGehee, Arkansas
Near the community of Rohwer
In Desha County
Approximately 110 miles southeast of Little Rock
30 miles from Jerome WRA camp
Deep in the Mississippi River Delta cotton-growing region

Getting to Rohwer Historic Site

By Car: From McGehee, take Arkansas Highway 1 north for approximately 8 miles. The Rohwer Relocation Center Cemetery is on the east side of the highway, marked with signs.

Site Access:

Cemetery: Open to public year-round during daylight hours
Memorial: Accessible for respectful visitation
Museum: Rohwer Heritage Site Museum in nearby building (check hours)
Self-guided tour: Interpretive markers and brochures available

Annual Pilgrimage: Typically held in April, featuring educational programs, cultural activities, and memorial services.

Facilities:

Preserved cemetery with 168 markers
Memorial monument and honor roll
Museum with exhibits and artifacts
Interpretive signage throughout site

Historical Overview

Rohwer War Relocation Center opened on September 18, 1942, when the first group of Japanese Americans arrived from California. Built on 10,000 acres of former cotton plantation land, Rohwer imprisoned over 8,000 Japanese Americans during its three-year operation from September 1942 to November 1945.

Rohwer was one of two WRA camps in Arkansas (along with Jerome, 30 miles away). After Jerome closed in June 1944 due to severe health problems, Rohwer absorbed Jerome’s remaining population, becoming the sole Arkansas camp for the war’s final 18 months.

At its peak in March 1944, Rohwer held 8,475 people. The camp imprisoned primarily Japanese Americans from California (particularly the Los Angeles area and Central Valley) and approximately 2,000 from Hawaii, making it one of two mainland camps with significant Hawaiian populations.

Camp Layout and Architecture

Rohwer followed the standard WRA camp design:

Residential Area

The main camp consisted of:

36 residential blocks arranged in a grid pattern
504 barrack buildings total
Central facilities: Administration building, hospital complex, warehouses, staff housing
Perimeter security: 8 guard towers, barbed wire fencing, military police compound

Block Structure

Each of the 36 residential blocks typically contained:

14 residential barracks (20 x 120 feet, divided into 4-6 rooms per barrack)
1 mess hall (dining facility serving 250-300 people)
1 recreation hall (community building)
1 latrine/washroom building (communal toilets, sinks, and showers)
1 laundry building (communal washing facilities)

Construction

Barracks were constructed with:

Green lumber (still wet, warped as it dried)
Tar paper exterior covering
Single-wall construction with no insulation
Coal-burning or wood-burning stoves for heat
Gaps between boards allowing humidity, insects, and weather inside
Small windows providing minimal light and ventilation

Families were assigned to single rooms (typically 20 x 20 feet for average-sized families, smaller for couples or individuals) with no privacy, minimal furniture (army cots, light bulb, stove), and no running water in residential barracks.

Additional Facilities

Hospital: 150-bed facility with surgical, medical, and dental services
Schools: Elementary school and Rohwer High School
Fire station: Essential due to fire risk from wooden structures
Community buildings: Churches, temples, recreation facilities
Agricultural areas: Thousands of acres cultivated around the camp
Warehouses and motor pool: Central logistics
Cemetery: Dedicated burial ground (still maintained today)

Timeline of Key Events

September 18, 1942: First internees arrive at Rohwer from California
Fall 1942: Camp fills rapidly; population reaches several thousand
March 1944: Peak population of 8,475 reached
Winter 1942-43: First winter in uninsulated barracks
February 1943: Loyalty questionnaire administered, causing family divisions
1943-1944: Over 2,000 men volunteer for U.S. military service
June 1944: Jerome camp closes; its population transferred to Rohwer
1944-1945: Rohwer becomes sole Arkansas camp
January 1945: West Coast exclusion orders rescinded; some begin returning home
Fall 1945: Accelerated closing process
November 30, 1945: Last internees leave Rohwer; camp officially closes
1992: Rohwer Cemetery designated a National Historic Landmark
2013: Rohwer Heritage Site Museum opens

Daily Life and Community

Despite imprisonment in the Arkansas Delta, Rohwer’s internees established a functioning community:

Education

Rohwer High School: Operated by internee and hired teachers
- Full academic curriculum with college preparatory courses
- Extracurricular activities: athletics, drama, music, yearbook
- Yearbooks published annually (preserved in archives)
- Athletic teams competed against local Arkansas schools
Elementary schools: Separate schools for younger children
Adult education: English classes, vocational training, cultural programs
University students: Some granted leave to attend colleges in the Midwest and East

The Rohwer Outpost (Camp Newspaper)

The camp newspaper documented daily life and community:

Published regularly throughout camp operation
Written, edited, and produced by internees
Covered camp events, policies, resettlement news, and war updates
Featured creative writing, poetry, and art
Now digitized and available for research

Agricultural Production

Rohwer’s location on former cotton plantation land enabled extensive agriculture:

Thousands of acres cultivated: Vegetables, rice, soybeans
Livestock operations: Hogs, poultry, dairy
Food production: Supplied the camp and contributed to other WRA facilities
Work crews: Internees worked long hours in hot, humid conditions
Wages: $12-19 per month, far below civilian rates

The irony was profound: Japanese American farmers, many of whom had lost their own productive farms on the West Coast, labored on Arkansas land for minimal wages while imprisoned.

Cultural and Religious Life

Buddhist and Christian services: Multiple congregations
Traditional Japanese arts: Calligraphy, flower arrangement, dance, martial arts
Crafts: Woodworking, carving, painting
Theater and music: Drama productions, bands, orchestras, traditional performances
Sports leagues: Baseball, basketball, football, sumo wrestling
Community organizations: Women’s clubs, youth groups, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, veterans’ associations

Community Beautification

Despite the harsh environment, internees created:

Gardens with vegetables and flowers
Ornamental ponds and landscaping
Wooden furniture and decorative items
Art installations in community buildings
Small acts of dignity and beauty amid confinement

Notable Internees and Military Service

Extraordinary Military Service

Rohwer had one of the highest rates of military volunteers among all WRA camps:

Over 2,000 men volunteered for U.S. military service
Most served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team (most decorated unit of its size in U.S. history)
Others served in Military Intelligence Service in the Pacific theater
Women served in military auxiliary services
Approximately 40 servicemen from Rohwer died in combat

The camp’s memorial honor roll lists all who served, with special recognition for those killed in action. This extraordinary service record—volunteering while families remained imprisoned—demonstrates remarkable patriotism and resilience.

Notable Individuals

George Takei: Actor and activist, imprisoned at Rohwer as a child (ages 5-8)
- Later became famous for Star Trek and civil rights advocacy
- Has spoken extensively about his Rohwer experience
Ruth Ozeki: Award-winning author (born at Rohwer in March 1945, shortly before closure)
Paul Tsuneishi: Librarian of Congress and scholar
Artists and writers: Many who documented camp life through art, poetry, and writing

Community Leaders

Block managers who advocated for improved conditions
Teachers who maintained educational quality
Medical staff who provided care despite resource limitations
Religious leaders who sustained spiritual communities
Youth leaders who organized activities and maintained morale

Climate and Environmental Challenges

Rohwer’s Mississippi Delta location created significant environmental hardships:

Hot, Humid Summers

Temperatures: Regularly 90-100°F with high humidity
Heat index: Often exceeded 110°F
Barracks: Became ovens; no air conditioning or effective cooling
Sleeping: Difficult; many slept outside when possible
Health impacts: Heat exhaustion, dehydration

Heavy Rainfall and Flooding

Annual rainfall: Over 50 inches
Flooding: Frequent; water surrounded barracks
Mud: Constant problem, particularly during rainy seasons
Drainage ditches: Required constant maintenance
Standing water: Breeding ground for mosquitoes

Mosquitoes and Disease

Mosquitoes: Constant plague, particularly in summer
Malaria risk: While less severe than Jerome, still present
DDT spraying: Attempted mosquito control with limited success
Other illnesses: Dysentery, respiratory infections
Health concerns: Ongoing throughout camp operation

Snakes, Insects, and Wildlife

Snakes: Cottonmouths (water moccasins), copperheads, and rattlesnakes common
Insects: Chiggers, ticks, flies, wasps
Alligators: Present in surrounding wetlands
Wildlife: Possums, raccoons, skunks

Mild but Damp Winters

Temperatures: Rarely freezing, but damp and uncomfortable
Heating: Coal or wood stoves inadequate for damp cold
Mold and mildew: Pervasive due to humidity
Respiratory problems: Common in damp conditions

Adaptations

Internees adapted by:

Building raised wooden walkways
Constructing screens for windows and doors
Creating drainage around barracks
Planting gardens to improve surroundings
Community mutual aid during floods and storms

Loyalty Questionnaire and Division

The February 1943 loyalty questionnaire created profound trauma and division at Rohwer:

The Questionnaire

All adults were required to complete a questionnaire with two particularly controversial questions:

Question 27: “Are you willing to serve in the armed forces of the United States on combat duty wherever ordered?”
Question 28: “Will you swear unqualified allegiance to the United States of America and faithfully defend the United States from any or all attack by foreign or domestic forces, and forswear any form of allegiance or obedience to the Japanese emperor, or any other foreign government, power or organization?”

The Impossible Choice

For Issei (first generation immigrants ineligible for U.S. citizenship due to racist naturalization laws), Question 28 demanded they renounce Japanese citizenship without the ability to become American citizens—rendering them stateless.

For Nisei (second generation, U.S. citizens by birth), the questions presumed disloyalty while they were imprisoned without charge or trial.

Results at Rohwer

Intense family conflicts over how to answer
Some answered “no-no” in protest of continued imprisonment and the questionnaire itself
Those classified as “disloyal” were transferred to Tule Lake Segregation Center
Families chose to relocate to Tule Lake together to avoid separation
Deep resentment and trauma that lasted for generations

Despite this injustice and the impossible position created by the questionnaire, over 2,000 men from Rohwer volunteered for military service—demonstrating extraordinary patriotism in the face of profound injustice.

Absorption of Jerome Population (June 1944)

In June 1944, when nearby Jerome camp closed due to severe health problems, Rohwer absorbed Jerome’s remaining population:

The Transfer

Additional internees: Jerome’s population transferred 30 miles to Rohwer
Second forced relocation: After already being forcibly removed from the West Coast
Crowding: Rohwer’s population increased significantly
Integration challenges: Combining two camp communities
Shared trauma: Both populations had experienced injustice

Impact on Rohwer

Increased strain on facilities and resources
Need to accommodate additional families
Some improvements made to infrastructure
Rohwer became sole Arkansas camp for final 18 months of war
Combined communities maintained resilience

Art and Cultural Production at Rohwer

Rohwer had a particularly vibrant artistic and cultural life:

Visual Arts

Henry Sugimoto: Created over 100 paintings documenting Rohwer life (now in archives)
George Matsusaburo Hibi: Artist who taught classes and created work
Student art programs: Classes in drawing, painting, and crafts
Yearbook art: Student illustrations and designs

Performing Arts

Theater productions: Drama club performed plays and variety shows
Music: Bands, orchestras, choirs, traditional Japanese music
Dance: Both Western and traditional Japanese forms

Writing and Poetry

Internees documented experiences through writing
Poetry expressing pain, resilience, and hope
Letters describing camp life (preserved in archives)
Contributions to camp newspaper

Crafts and Woodworking

Furniture created from scrap wood
Decorative items and gifts
Traditional Japanese crafts
Artistic expression despite limited materials

Cemetery and Memorial

Rohwer Cemetery

The Rohwer Cemetery is the most significant remaining element of the camp:

Location: Original cemetery site, now a National Historic Landmark

Grave Markers: 168 markers honoring:

Internees who died during incarceration (from illness, accidents, natural causes)
Military servicemen from Rohwer killed in combat
Infants and elderly who died during confinement

Memorial Monument:

Central monument with honor roll listing all servicemen
Special recognition for those killed in action
Dedication plaques and interpretive panels

Maintenance:

Well-maintained by local community and preservation groups
Annual ceremonies and pilgrimages
Respectful visitation encouraged year-round

Significance

The cemetery provides tangible evidence of:

Lives lost during incarceration
Military sacrifice despite injustice
Ongoing commitment to remembrance
Community care for the site across generations

Closure and Aftermath

Camp Closing (November 1945)

As the war ended, Rohwer began closing operations:

January 1945: West Coast exclusion orders rescinded; some begin returning home
Spring-Summer 1945: Accelerated closing process
November 30, 1945: Last internees depart; camp officially closes

Challenges of Release

Internees faced severe challenges upon release:

Many had lost homes, businesses, and property during 3+ years of incarceration
Anti-Japanese sentiment remained high, particularly on West Coast
Limited resources for resettlement
No government compensation for losses until 1988 Civil Liberties Act
Some chose to settle in Arkansas or other interior states rather than face hostility

What Happened to the Site

After closure:

Most buildings demolished or sold as surplus
Some barracks moved to nearby communities and used as housing or storage
Agricultural land returned to cultivation
Cemetery preserved by local community
Site largely forgotten except for cemetery

Present Day - Preservation and Interpretation

National Historic Landmark Status

In 1992, the Rohwer Relocation Center Cemetery was designated a National Historic Landmark, ensuring federal recognition and protection.

What Remains

Original Elements:

Cemetery: 168 grave markers and memorial monument (best-preserved element)
Concrete foundations: Scattered across former camp site
Some sewer system remnants: Underground infrastructure
Altered landscape: Former camp area now farmland

Reconstructed/Interpretive:

Honor roll: Names of all military servicemen
Interpretive markers: Throughout cemetery and site
Museum exhibits: In nearby Rohwer Heritage Site Museum

Rohwer Heritage Site Museum

Opened in 2013 through Arkansas State University:

Exhibits: Artifacts, photographs, personal items, documents
Educational programs: School groups, researchers, public visitors
Oral histories: Video testimonies from former internees
Research resources: Archives and reference materials
Community partnership: Collaboration with former internees and descendants

Preservation Efforts

Arkansas State University: Ongoing research and interpretation project
Community volunteers: Maintain cemetery and site
Annual pilgrimage: Brings together former internees, descendants, and supporters
Educational outreach: Programs for schools and public

Annual Pilgrimage

Held each April, the Rohwer Pilgrimage includes:

Cemetery memorial service
Educational programs and panel discussions
Cultural performances and activities
Recognition of military servicemen
Intergenerational dialogue

Access and Visitation

Cemetery: Open year-round during daylight hours
Museum: Check website for current hours
Self-guided tours: Brochures and interpretive markers available
Group tours: Available by arrangement
Respectful visitation: This is a site of trauma, death, and remembrance

Geographic and Historical Context

Arkansas’s Two Camps

Arkansas was unique in having two WRA camps (Rohwer and Jerome), both in the Mississippi Delta region. After Jerome closed in 1944, Rohwer became the sole Arkansas camp.

Mississippi River Delta

The Delta environment created unique challenges:

Former cotton plantation land
Flat, low-lying terrain prone to flooding
Hot, humid climate
Rich agricultural soil but challenging conditions
Isolated from major population centers

Local Arkansas Communities

Relationships with nearby towns were complex:

Some local residents opposed the camps
Others saw economic opportunities in camp construction and operations
Limited integration (some Japanese American students attended local schools)
Post-war, some former internees settled in Arkansas
Educational efforts in recent decades to preserve history

George Takei Connection

Actor and activist George Takei’s imprisonment at Rohwer (ages 5-8) has brought national attention to the site. His advocacy work and public speaking about his Rohwer experience have educated millions about the camps.

Significance in Masumi Hayashi’s Work

Masumi Hayashi, born in 1945 at Arizona’s Gila River concentration camp, photographed Rohwer as part of her comprehensive documentation of all ten War Relocation Authority sites.

Visual Documentation

Her panoramic photo collages of Rohwer capture:

Cemetery: The preserved grave markers and memorial
Landscape: The Delta farmland where the camp once stood
Absence: What is no longer visible but historically present
Memory: Visual record ensuring the site is not forgotten

Artistic Approach

Hayashi’s work at Rohwer emphasizes:

Preservation and erasure: The cemetery remains while the camp is gone
Agricultural transformation: Cotton fields where barracks once stood
Material traces: What little physical evidence remains
Dignity: Honoring those buried in the cemetery

Panoramic Technique

Her distinctive panoramic format:

Captures the flat Delta landscape
Fragments and reassembles the view, mirroring fractured communities
Emphasizes both the scale of the site and the intimacy of the cemetery
Forces viewers to scan and engage actively with the space

Legacy Preservation

By photographing Rohwer and the other nine camps, Hayashi:

Created essential visual archive before further deterioration
Transformed abstract history into visceral, physical reality
Honored those buried at Rohwer
Ensured that even as physical evidence disappears, photographic record remains

Her work complements preservation efforts by Arkansas State University and community organizations, ensuring Rohwer’s history remains visible.

Educational Significance

Rohwer serves as a crucial educational site:

Best-Preserved Arkansas Camp

Cemetery provides tangible connection to history
Museum offers interpretation and education
Accessible to visitors year-round
Active research and preservation programs

George Takei’s Advocacy

National visibility through Takei’s speaking and writing
Reaches audiences who might not otherwise learn about camps
Personal testimony brings history to life
Ongoing educational impact

Constitutional Lessons

Demonstrates fragility of rights during wartime
Illustrates consequences of racism and fear
Honors resilience and patriotism despite injustice
Framework for discussing contemporary civil liberties

Military Service Record

Over 2,000 volunteers from one camp
Demonstrates loyalty despite profound injustice
Honors sacrifice of those killed in combat
Challenges assumptions about loyalty and citizenship

Arkansas Japanese American Memorial

The Arkansas Japanese American Memorial, located in McGehee, serves as a regional memorial for both Rohwer and Jerome camps. Features include:

Educational panels and interpretive displays
Recognition of all internees imprisoned in Arkansas
Honoring military servicemen from both camps
Acknowledgment of constitutional failures and injustice

This page honors all who were imprisoned at Rohwer, the approximately 40 servicemen from Rohwer who gave their lives in World War II, and the ongoing efforts to preserve this history and defend civil liberties for all Americans.