Finding Aid for the W. Eugene Dimon papers, 1942-1943
Processed by Tiffany-Kay Sangwand in the Center For Primary Research and Training (CFPRT) with assistance from Kelley Bachli,
2008; machine-readable finding aid created by Caroline Cubé.
UCLA Library Special Collections
UCLA Library Special Collections staff
Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575
Email: spec-coll@library.ucla.edu
URL: http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/special/scweb/
© 2008
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: W. Eugene Dimon papers
Date (inclusive): 1942-1943
Collection number: 2010
Creator:
W. Eugene Dimon
Extent:
1 document box (box 619, .5 linear feet)
2 oversize boxes (boxes 766 and 872)
Abstract: The W. Eugene Dimon papers contain newsletters, correspondence, albums and artifacts created by the Japanese who were detained
at the Pomona Assembly Center in California from May to August 1942 and then transferred to the Heart Relocation Center in
Wyoming in August 1942. The items were collected by W. Eugene Dimon, the Recreation Director of the Pomona Assembly Center.
Language: Finding aid is written in
English.
Repository:
University of California, Los Angeles. Library Special Collections.
Los Angeles, California 90095-1575
Physical location: Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library Special
Collections Reference Desk for paging information.
Administrative Information
Restrictions on Access
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact the UCLA Library Special
Collections Reference Desk for paging information.
Restrictions on Use and Reproduction
Property rights to the physical object belong to the UCLA Library Special Collections. Literary rights, including copyright,
are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright
and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.
Provenance/Source of Acquisition
The Japanese American Research Project (JARP) was established in 1962 jointly by the Japanese American Citizens League and
the University of California, Los Angeles. Materials in the collection were donated after JARP was established.
Processing Note
Processed by Tiffany-Kay Sangwand in the Center For Primary Research and Training (CFPRT) with assistance from Kelley Bachli,
2008.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], W. Eugene Dimon papers (Collection 2010). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research
Library.
UCLA Catalog Record ID
Biography
In 1942, the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds in Pomona was converted into a temporary detention camp for persons of Japanese
descent until they were transported to war relocation centers. The Pomona Assembly Center received 5,514 persons between
May 7 and August 24, 1942; the maximum population at one time was 5,434. The majority of the detainees were from Los Angeles,
San Francisco and Santa Clara counties.
W. Eugene "Buck" Dimon served as the Recreation Director at the Pomona Assembly Center and was well-revered by the Japanese
for his efforts to provide them with additional accommodations and services during their interim at the center. Dimon contacted
local churches, schools, organizations, and the Pomona Public Library to donate used goods to the Assembly Center. His mother,
Mrs. Eugene Dimon, was also noted for her kindness towards the Japanese detainees.
The majority of the detainees at the Pomona Assembly Center were transferred to the Heart Mountain War Relocation Center in
Wyoming in August 1942.
Scope and Content
The collection contains materials created by the Japanese persons detained in the Pomona Assembly Center in 1942. These materials
include a full run of the
Pomona Center News, which documents the daily life in the Pomona Assembly Center, albums and artifacts given as gifts to Dimon before leaving
the Pomona Assembly Center, and correspondence to Dimon after being sent to the Heart Mountain Relocation Center in Wyoming.
The albums and the triptych (see box 872) contain drawings by an unknown artist, though they were most likely done by Ricky
"Artist" Washizaki. Other artifacts include a poster, scroll, and mobile honoring Dimon. The collection also contains two
photographs presumably taken at the Pomona Assembly Center and a newspaper clipping from the
Daily News (Los Angeles, 1943) on the internment of Japanese persons. The majority of materials were created in 1942; one item of correspondence
and the newspaper clipping are from 1943.
Organization and Arrangement
The materials are arranged in chronological order beginning with the
Pomona Center News, invitations to events at the Pomona Assembly Center, albums, photographs, correspondence, and clippings in box 619. The
artifacts are housed separately in boxes 766 and 872.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Subjects
W. Eugene Dimon --Archives.
Japanese American Research Project (University of California, Los Angeles) --Archives.
Related Material
Box 619, Folder 1
Pomona Center News, volume 1 numbers 1-23
1942 May 23-August 12
Physical Description: bound
Box 619, Folder 2
Pomona Center News, volume 1 numbers 1-25
1942 May 23-August 15
Physical Description: bound
Box 619, Folder 3
Invitations for events at the Pomona Assembly Center
1942
Box 619, Folder 4
Albums
1942
Scope and Content Note
Two small bound books: one signed by members of the Pomona Assembly
Center's Recreation Department with letter, second labeled "Family Album" from the Pomona
Assembly Center's Office Staff with letters to Dimon and sketches by staff (Ricky Washizaki?)
Box 619, Folder 5
Photographs
undated
Scope and Content Note
Two photos: photo one of W. Eugene Dimon with unidentified Japanese men,
photo two of barracks at Pomona Assembly Center taken from the outside (?)
Box 619, Folder 6
Correspondence from friends formerly in the Pomona Assembly Center
1942-1943
Scope and Content Note
Majority from friends who were relocated to Heart Mountain Relocation Center
in Wyoming. Undated letter accompanies the wooden key in Box 766.
Box 619, Folder 7
Clipping, "Conference hears Jap camp director" in Daily News (Los Angeles), page
3
1943 May 12
Box 766
Large wooden key labeled "Key to the Japanese Clan"
1942 August
Scope and Content Note
Given to Dimon by detainees
Box 872, Folder 1
Poster tribute to "Buck" Dimon from detainees in Pomona Assembly Center
1942?
Scope and Content Note
Written by Minister Korino
Box 872, Folder 2
Burlap triptych labeled "Arts and Crafts"
1942?
Scope and Content Note
Interior section contains sketches of people and letter addressed to Mr.
"Buck" Dimon
Box 872, Folder 3
Mobile composed of wood carvings and popsicle sticks
1942 August 9
Scope and Content Note
Addressed to "Buck" thanking him for his work, signed by 14 people, wood
carvings say Pomonans Recreation
Box 872, Folder 4
Paper scroll honoring Dimon from Pomona Assembly Center school
1948 August 8
Scope and Content Note
Signed by administration, teachers and students
