Manzanar National Historic Site

In 1942, the United States government ordered more than 110,000 men, women, and children to leave their homes and detained them in remote, military-style camps. Manzanar War Relocation Center was one of ten camps where the US government incarcerated Japanese immigrants ineligible for citizenship and Japanese American citizens during World War II.

Barracks in 1942, Manzanar

1942 image of barracks at Manzanar

People walk to barracks framed by mountain peaks.

Block 15 Barrack 7 Garden Lantern, Manzanar

Block 15 Barrack 7 Garden Lantern, Manzanar

Japanese stone lantern with mountains in background

Historic Entrance Sign, Manzanar

Historic Entrance Sign, Manzanar

Wooden sign with "Mananar War Relocation Center" written on it

Manzanar Guard Tower

Reconstructed Manzanar Guard Tower

guard tower with fog and hills in background

Merritt Park, Manzanar

Merritt Park, Manzanar

wooden bridge and stonework in foreground with mountains behind

Manzanar Cemetery Monument

Manzanar Cemetery Monument

white obelisk with black Japanese characters with stormy mountains beyond

Manzanar Pear Orchard and Mount Williamson

Manzanar Pear Orchard and Mount Williamson

flowering pear trees with mountains in background

Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage

Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage

crowd surrounds white obelisk with mountains beyond

Manzanar Sentry Post

Manzanar Sentry Post

stone building with stormy mountains beyond