The United States has welcomed a new addition to its roster of national parks with the designation of the Amache National Historic Site, located in a remote corner of southeastern Colorado. This site, one of 10 Japanese incarceration camps established during World War II, received its official status as a national park on Thursday.
The formal establishment of the Amache National Historic Site was made possible through the acquisition and donation of the land by the Town of Granada. President Biden had signed the Amache National Historic Site Act in March 2022, which paved the way for the site’s integration into the National Park System.
With its newfound status as a national park, the Amache site will be safeguarded for future generations to delve into the history of Japanese American mass incarceration during World War II. This significant step recognizes and acknowledges a painful chapter in American history.
Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, emphasized the importance of confronting the injustices of the past to build a more just and equitable future. She expressed the Interior Department’s commitment to preserving America’s public lands and cultural resources to narrate a comprehensive and truthful story of the nation’s history.
The establishment of the Amache National Historic Site holds particular significance as it coincides with the upcoming Day of Remembrance of Japanese Incarceration During World War II, observed annually on February 19th. It joins a list of six other internment camps that have been designated as national parks across the United States, including Minidoka in Idaho, Manzanar, and Tule Lake in California.
Formerly known as the Granada Relocation Center, Amache served as a place of incarceration for over 10,000 individuals between 1942 and 1945. At its peak population in 1943, the camp housed 7,310 detainees, making it the 10th largest city in Colorado during that time.
Executive Order 9066, issued during World War II, led to the forced relocation and internment of Japanese Americans from the West Coast. This order, enacted following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, labeled Japanese Americans as a national security threat. The repercussions were profound, with 122,000 individuals, including children, being detained in isolated internment camps, despite over half of them being American citizens. They endured the loss of personal liberties, homes, businesses, and property.
Amache stands as one of the most well-preserved World War II internment camps, thanks to the dedicated preservation efforts of survivors and their descendants. Visitors to the site can explore original building foundations, historic roads, a cemetery, and several reconstructed and restored structures such as barracks, a recreation hall, guard towers, and a water tank. Admission to Amache is free, offering accessibility to all who wish to learn about this important chapter of American history.
Chuck Sams, Director of the National Park Service, underscored the significance of Amache’s addition to the National Park System. He highlighted the importance of acknowledging and learning from the nation’s darker chapters of injustice.
The designation of the Amache National Historic Site symbolizes a commitment to remembering and honoring the experiences of those who endured injustice during a tumultuous period in American history. It serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and sharing stories that contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the nation’s past.