Located in Amache, Colorado, Granada (Amache) was the smallest of the WRA camps. The original population of the camp came entirely from different areas of California, but was later augmented by inmates from the camps at Jerome and Tule Lake. Inmates ran a silkscreen shop, and a cooperative store, and were successful at agricultural enterprises both within and outside of camp.
Featured Collections
George Ochikubo Collection
This collection is comprised of photographs taken by George Ochikubo, a native of Portland, Oregon. During World War II, he and his family were removed to the Granada (Amache) concentration camp where he took photographs using a 4x5 speed graphic camera.
Amache Co-op Collection
This collection consists of photos that were part of a publication by the Amache Consumer Enterprises, Inc. This successful co-op was established at the Amache (Granada) concentration camp, Colorado.
Yuriko Domoto Tsukada Collection
This collection consists of Yuriko Tsukada (nee Domoto)’s photographs, correspondences, personal records, diaries, and Granada (Amache) Camp Administrative Records related to the Social Welfare Department.
Oral Histories
School in Camp - Bob Fuchigami
Bob Fuchigami was a teenager when he was imprisoned in the Merced Assembly Center, California, and the Amache (Granada) concentration camp, Colorado, during World War II. In this clip, he describes school in camp.
"Are You A Human Being?" - Mutsu Homma
"Are you a human being?" a young soldier asked Mutsu Homma while she was imprisoned in the Amache incarceration camp, Colorado.
Avoiding Talking about Camp Experiences After the War - Flora Ninomiya
Flora Ninomiya grew up in Richmond, California. During World War II, she and her family were removed to the Amache concentration camp, Colorado. In this clip, Flora talks about returning to elementary school after leaving camp.
Encyclopedia Entries
Amache (Granada)
With the smallest overall population of the War Relocation Authority camps, Amache's original population came entirely from different areas of California, but was later augmented by inmates from the camps at Jerome and Tule Lake.
Granada Pioneer (newspaper)
The Granada Pioneer (Oct. 14, 1942 to Sept. 15, 1945) was the camp newspaper of the Granada "Relocation Center," more commonly known as Camp Amache.
Amache Silk Screen Shop
The Amache Silk Screen Shop was in operation from June 1943 to May 15, 1945, and was the only successful silk screen shop functioning within a War Relocation Authority incarceration camp during World War II.
Blog Posts
Brick Floors, a Polio Outbreak, and Other Unique Aspects of Amache Concentration Camp
Amache was one of ten War Relocation Authority camps where Japanese Americans were incarcerated following the forced removal from the West Coast in 1942. Located in southeastern Colorado, it held the smallest population of any WRA camp. But it was notable in other ways as well.
Photo Essay: Amache Through the Lens of George Ochikubo
We take a look back at Amache's history as seen through the lens of photographer George Ochikubo. Native to Portland, Ochikubo arrived at Amache in 1943 — likely one of the 993 transfers from Tule Lake — and brought with him his 4×5 speed graphic camera.
Photo Essay: The Amache Silk Screen Shop
The successful Amache silk screen shop was run almost entirely by Japanese American incarcerees. In the spring of 1943, as the war ramped up and created a labor shortage on the home front, a Red Cross nurse named Maida Campbell visited Amache to explore the possibility of running a printing operation there.
Educational Material Campu Education Hub
Densho’s new podcast, Campu, tells the story of Japanese American incarceration like you’ve never heard it before. Brother-sister duo Hana and Noah Maruyama weave together the voices of survivors to spin narratives out of the seemingly mundane things that gave shape to the incarceration experience: rocks, fences, food, paper.
Exploring Your Family History
Over the past two decades Densho’s extensive online resources have become increasingly useful as a tool for Japanese American families to explore their heritage. The Densho Family History Program’s mission is to help members of the Japanese American community connect with their history through education, training, access to genealogical tools, and preservation of historical materials.
Acknowledgement
Funding made possible by The Henri and Tomoye Takahashi Charitable Foundation.
