Located in McGehee, Arkansas, Rohwer concentration camp opened on September 18, 1942 and held 8,000 Japanese Americans, mostly from the Los Angeles and San Joaquin area. Rohwer’s location exposed inmates to the unique climate and racial politics of the South, and the camps’ relative proximity to Camps Shelby and Robinson led to regular interactions between camp inmates and Nisei soldiers training at the two military facilities.
Featured Collections
Toshiyuki Robert Kubota Family Collection
A family photo album containing personal photos and photos gifted to the Kubota family, many of which show the family's life in Tule Lake and Rohwer.
Sumida Family Collection
This collection contains material about the Sumida Family, who lived in Los Angeles, California and were removed to Rohwer concentration camp during the war.
Takasugi Family Collection
The Takasugi Family Collection contains photographs and documents related to the Takasugi family's life at Rohwer concentration camp.
Oral histories
Social Activities in Rohwer - Michiko Frances Chikahisa
Michiko Frances Chikahisa grew up in Los Angeles, California. During World War II, she and her family were incarcerated in the Rohwer concentration camp, Arkansas, when she was a teenager. In this clip, she talks about social activities and dating in camp.
Visiting American concentration camps during the war - Katsugo Miho
During World War II, Katsugo Miho, who grew up in Hawaii, served with the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team. In this clip, he remembers a visit to the War Relocation Authority camps at Rohwer and Jerome, Arkansas, during the war.
Memories of working with Minoru Yasui after the war - June Yasuno Aochi Berk
June Yasuno Aochi (Yamashiro) Berk was incarcerated at Rohwer concentration camp in Arkansas and resettled with her family in Denver after WWII, before eventually returning to California. In this clip, she describes working for Minoru Yasui while in Denver, and watching him help Issei legal clients file claims for their wartime losses.
Encyclopedia entries
Rohwer
One of two War Relocation Authority (WRA) concentration camps located in the state of Arkansas, Rohwer was among the last to open and was the last to close aside from Tule Lake.
Rohwer Outpost (newspaper)
The Rohwer Outpost (October 24, 1942 to July 21, 1945) was the newspaper of the Rohwer, Arkansas, concentration camp.
Blog Posts
10 Little-Known Stories About Rohwer Concentration Camp
Rohwer was one of two WRA concentration camps located in Arkansas, where inmates were exposed to the unique climate and racial politics of the South, and had regular interactions with Nisei soldiers training at nearby military facilities.
The Labor History of Japanese American Incarceration during WWII
Japanese Americans were expected to help build and maintain the concentration camps where they were held, as well as grow some of their own food to offset the costs of their imprisonment. The working conditions and paltry wages offered by the WRA left much to be desired.
Educational Material Tide Goes Out
Part-biography, part-fiction, Tide Goes Out recounts one family’s journey from their early years on the shores of Terminal Island, through their removal and detention in Manzanar, and their eventual return to the place they once called home. In order to help you bring this graphic novel to your classroom or community group, we’ve crafted some thought-provoking questions and learning activities.
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.
