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
Photo of Gila River Internment Camp. Each barrack looked the exact same, making navigation extremely difficult. Photo From the National Archives