120 E. Branch St.
The address, 120 East Branch Street, now identified as the Arroyo Grande Meat Market also has interesting connections towards the Japanese Americans in Arroyo Grande, who acted as allies towards them, similar to Vard Loomis.
Leo Wilkinson was the owner of the Arroyo Grande Meat Market in the mid 1930s. When Japanese Americans were ordered to leave their houses and move towards internment in 1942, they had to settle their payments and bills around the town, so that they wouldn’t be left in debt.
When families went to the Arroyo Grande Meat Market to make their payments, Wilkinson refused their money, already knowing that this event would certainly leave many Japanese Americans with almost nothing. Wilkinson said, “Keep it, you’re going to need it." Wilkinson’s selfless gesture, and kindness resonated with the Japanese Americans, highlighting him as an important ally for the Japanese Americans during WWII.
In fact, Leo Wilkinson’s daughter, Jean Wilkinson even received a Japanese doll dressed in a silk kimono (a long, loose robe, originally worn as a formal garment in Japan) as a “thank you” to the Wilkinsons for their kindness. Jean Wilkinson was a classmate and best friend to Yoshi Nakamura who was sent away to internment.
Additionally, Yoshi’s brother, George Nakamura was a war hero who saved an American pilot by disguising himself as a Japanese peasant. Despite being a war hero, proving his dedication to his country, and saving lives, he was still sent to the camps. Years later, his son, Gary Nakamura, would grow up to be one of the leaders of the Japanese American Citizens League.
Arroyo Grande Meat Market in 1942. Courtesy of the Wilkinson Family.
February of 1942
Executive Order 9066
Following the issuance of Executive Order 9066, Japanese Americans in Arroyo Grande were forcibly relocated to internment camps, disrupting their lives and livelihoods.
March 1942
Living in Horse Stalls
3-6 people lived in one horse stall that housed one horse. The stalls were converted into "apartments" for the Japanese Americans divided into two sections with a swinging door. Many challenges arose with these living quarters, such as the shower heads being too tall (meant for horses), and a lack of essential privacy.
1942-1945
Life in Internment Camps
Surrounded by armed guards, and barbed wire, Japanese Americans were treated like prisoners. They were forced to share barracks with up to as many as 2-3 different families, and during the first few weeks of incarceration, one mess hall served 3,000 Japanese Americans due to lack of readiness by kitchen staff and kitchen appliances.
1945- Early 1946
Returning Home
Many Japanese Americans returned home to nothing after the war ended because they previously were ordered to leave so abruptly. Land was stolen, possessions were lost, and many Japanese Americans had to start from scratch.
Members of the Mochida Family Awaiting Evacuation. Photo from the National Archives
