On February 19, 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 authorizing the incarceration of Japanese American citizens and resident aliens in incarceration camps. Nearly 13,000 people were placed at Minidoka from 1942-1946.
Today, the camp is undergoing a revitalization. A 1.6 mile walking trail can be walked with 23 interpretive signs along the trail. These describe the historic structures, landscape, and the people who lived here. A historic barrack building and mess hall have been returned to the site. It is the beginning steps in recreating one of the residential barrack blocks. The Historic Baseball Diamond was restored. Many other improvements were made to the area as well.
Interpretive programs include self-guided tours, a Junior Ranger program, educational curriculum, and a temporary visitor center. Because these Japanese Americans had never been charged with a crime,, this site is preserved to educate those who maybe did not know this occurred, and to amplify the stories of the survivors. Families were forced to abandon their homes, businesses, and communities for years.
Please call ahead at (208) 825-4169 to confirm visitor center hours or make group reservations.
The new and beautiful Visitor’s Center is open and ready to educate! Watch videos on survivor’s tales of living in the camp, and read about the incarceration process, life after camp, and many other testimonies.
