Colorado River Relocation Center records, 1942-1945

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Summary

Creators:
Backus, Edythe N.
Abstract:
The collection contains correspondence, photographs, yearbooks, bulletins, memoranda, and other material dating from approximately 1942 to 1945 relating to the Japanese internment camp, the Colorado River Relocation Center in Poston, Arizona. The materials were assembled by Pasadena area teacher Edythe N. Backus who left her position in California to teach at the Center.
Extent:
9.67 Linear Feet (11 boxes)
Language:
Materials are mostly in English with some Japanese.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Colorado River Relocation Center records, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains correspondence, 12 photographs, bulletins, memoranda, and other printed materials assembled by Edythe N. Backus related to the Colorado River Relocation Center at Poston, AZ. Also included are copies of The Poston chronicle and Poston High and Junior High School annuals, newspapers, and bulletins. The 141 pieces of correspondence are primarily by Japanese-Americans as they reintegrated to American society outside the center. The collection also includes watercolor drawings of camp scenes by Kastsumi Natagawa and H. Yoshizumi.

Biographical / historical:

The Colorado River Relocation Center, established by the United States War Relocation Authority in May 1942, confined Americans of Japanese descent who were required to leave their homes during World War II.

Edythe N. Backus (1897-1956) was a teacher from the Pasadena area who volunteered to teach at Poston, Arizona. She collected materials related to life in the Center which now make up this collection.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Edythe N. Backus, 1948.
Custodial history:

Bulletins to War Service Personnel by Huntington Library Staff from 1943-1945 (18 pieces) were originally housed in box 1, but on 1/23/1974 were transferred to Huntington Library Archives.

Processing information:

Processed by Huntington Library staff; supplementary encoding and revision supplied by Xiuzhi Zhou in 2004. In July 2023, Mari Khasmanyan rehoused part of the collection, updated container information (boxes 8, 9, 10, and 11 were created) and updated the finding aid.

Arrangement:

Collection is arranged according to the existing order of the materials.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Colorado River Relocation Center records, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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