Relocation Camp Administration & Governance

In front of you stood the Administration Area which consisted of an H shaped Administration building, a small building to the right of the Administration building for the Block Managers Community Council offices, and a building to the south for the newspaper, agriculture, engineering and welfare offices. Caucasian civilian housing was to the left and to the right of where you are now standing and included a separate mess hall and recreation hall.

The civilian War Relocation Authority (WRA) ran the relocation camps. Initially headed by Milton Eisenhower and later by Dillon S. Myer, WRA used the Army as "security." Policies governing camp life were strictly defined by the WRA and carried out by the Project Directors, C.E. Rachford, and after December, 1942, Guy Robertson.

The Heart Mountain staff numbered about 200 persons divided into seven sections. These included: legal services, reports, internal operations, relocation, community management, supply, and finance. Except at the top levels, the turnover of Caucasian employees was high.

Internees were allowed a form of self-government that guided many of the important functions of relocation life.

The Project Directors appointed one person from each block as a Block Manager to handle daily problems with housing, repair, maintenance and the mess hall.

In 1943, the internees established and ratified the Charter of Heart Mountain Relocation Center to establish internal justice and promote the welfare of their community.

The Charter created the position of Councilman, elected by each block for a six-month term to consult with WRA officials about internal problems. The Block Managers were usually Issei - the foreign born generation, while the Councilmen were U.S. citizens whose first language was English.

Although living in Wyoming, internees could not vote as citizens in Wyoming. However, they could vote absentee ballots in their hometown elections.

Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.

Show me all markers in:  Powell, WY  |  Park County  |  82435  |  Wyoming  |  United States of America

Heart Mountain High School:
Swimming Hole:
Barracks Living Area:
Relocation Center Support Facilities
Agriculture and Root Cellars
Heart Mountain Relocation Center Honor Roll and Flag Pole
Daniel K. Inouye
M.P. Station, Guard Tower, Rail & Train Station
Heart Mountain, Wyoming - Fall 1943
Norman Y. Mineta

• GPX
• KML
• LOC

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.