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Manzanar National Historic Site

In 1942, the United States government ordered more than 110,000 men, women, and children to leave their homes and detained them in remote, military-style camps. Manzanar War Relocation Center was one of ten camps where Japanese American citizens and resident Japanese aliens were interned during World War II.

 
Remnants of Manzanar orchards with Mt. Williamson in the background. NPS Photo.

Layers of History

This land has been a War Relocation Center, an apple farming community, a cattle ranch, and home of the Owens Valley Paiute. Together, these occupations illustrate Manzanar's long history of recurring human settlement, inhabitation, and displacement. 
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Woman with children underneath the gazebo of Merritt Park. Photo by Ansel Adams.

Merritt Park Archeological Dig

Read about an exciting project conducted by park archeologists, staff, and volunteers to excavate and stabilize features of this community garden in 2008.
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Park Volunteer and former internee Saburo Sasaki talking to visitors. NPS Photo.

Volunteers

Volunteers help the National Park Service meet our national mission. They have made immeasurable contributions in every division within Manzanar National Historic Site. You can too.
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Japanese American man talks to a room of young people. Photo by Tom Parker.

Educator Resources Box

Explore the vast potential of learning at Manzanar. This new Educator Resources Box is designed to inspire teachers to utilize Manzanar National Historic Site in teaching history, language arts, math, and art while meeting numerous state teaching standards.
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Write to

Manzanar National Historic Site
P.O. Box 426
Independence, CA 93526

Phone

Visitor Information
(760) 878-2194 ext. 2710

Headquarters
(760) 878-2194

Fax

(760) 878-2949

Climate

Manzanar is located in the Owens Valley at 4,000' elevation, at the eastern base of the Sierra Nevada. We get little precipitation but we do have four distinct seasons. Summer temperatures can soar over 100 degrees. Winter highs are usually in the 40's. Nighttime temperatures year round are 30 to 40 degrees less than daytime highs. High winds are common in any season.
Communities Surrounding Manzanar National Historic Site
Note: The times listed below are approximate driving times to the park.
Lone Pine, CA (12 min. ) Pop. 1,655
Keeler, CA (30 min. ) Pop. 66
 Big Pine, CA (38 min. ) Pop. 1,350
Olancha, CA (44 min. ) Pop. 134