Research: Minidoka Relocation Camp
Location: Jerome County, south central Idaho, 6 miles north of Eden.
Land: Federal reclamation project land, part of the Gooding Reclamation District.
Size: 33,500 acres
Peak population: 9,397
Date of peak: March 1, 1943
Opening date: August 10, 1942
Closing Dates:
October 28, 1945
Climate: Severe, plagued by dust storms.
Population Origins:
Of the 9,397 Americans held prisoner here...
King County, WA (6,098) prisoners were from 0
Multnomah County, OR (1,927) prisoners were from 1
Pierce County, WA (1,051) prisoners were from 2
% who answered question 28 of the loyalty questionnaire positively: 98.7%
Number and percentage of eligible citizen males inducted directly into ARMED FORCES: 594 (8.8%)
Industry: Minidoka had a garment factory which produced goods for internal consumption.
History: Minidoka was regarded as the 'best' of the camps whose positive atmosphere stemmed from the relatively homogenous population and the relatively benevolent administration. Because it was not in the Western Defense Command restricted area, its security was lighter than that of other camps.
The population was from mostly urban areas.