Your Dollars At Work

Since becoming a national historic site in 1992, Manzanar has been undergoing great change and development, as we design and complete projects to enhance the visitor experience. All of the projects listed on this page are funded, in part, by the American taxpayer, with help from generous donations.

Slide the before and after photos to see your dollars at work.

These and future projects are chosen to maximize our ability to tell the stories associated with Manzanar as outlined in our General Management Plan and subsequent planning documents. Manzanar National Historic Site does not charge an entrance fee, relying on an annual budget from Congress, National Park Service special project funds, and donations to operate our site and to meet our goals.

Learn more about your fee dollars at work at all National Park Service Sites.

 

Auto Tour Road Paving

Left image
Auto tour road before paving.
Credit: NPS Photo

Right image
Auto tour road after paving (2018).
Credit: NPS Photo

In 2018, the 3.2 mile dirt auto tour road was paved. This road allows visitors to drive through the square mile of the housing area and to cemetery monument. Just a short walk from the road will take visitors to various gardens, the orchard, the Children's Village, and more. Bikes are also permitted on the road and all of the site is open to foot travel. Stop in to the visitor center to pick up a map.

 

Guard Tower Reconstruction

Left image
Historic image of one of Manzanar's guard towers (1943).
Credit: Photo from the Shinjo Nagatomi Collection

Right image
Reconstructed guard tower at Manzanar National Historic Site (2014).
Credit: NPS Photo

"When I was there in 1942, the towers did not have any glass at all. We had no telephones at any time. The searchlight was hand controlled which a sentry had to climb up on the roof to operate it. When we first arrived in Manzanar we used to shine the lights in the [barracks] windows at all hours of the night. The people in the compound complained so we were told not to continue the harassment. We did not have any machine guns mounted in the tower except sub 45 cal Thompsons, shotguns 12 GA and .30 caliber rifles which each sentry carried off and on duty. No stationary machine guns were mounted in the tower." - Pat Tortorello, 1987. Military Policeman at Manzanar from June 1942 to June 1943.

In September 2005, the National Park Service at Manzanar, in cooperation with the Friends of Manzanar, completed the reconstruction of guard tower #8. This tower stands along Highway 395 at the east side of the site. Former incarcerees remember the guard towers and the feeling of confinement, reinforced by the "guns facing in." Manzanar prioritized the guard tower reconstruction because it is such a powerful symbol of the incarceration experience.

 

Mess Hall Move

Left image
Historic World War II building en route to Manzanar National Historic Site (2002).
Credit: NPS Photo

Right image
Restored mess hall in Block 14 (2014).
Credit: NPS Photo

In December 2002, an original World War II mess hall was moved forty-five miles from the Bishop County Airport to Manzanar National Historic Site.  The 40' x 100' structure is the same type as the 36 mess halls used by the Japanese Americans incarcerated at Manzanar from 1942-1945. After the war, all but three of the camp's 800 buildings were dismantled or relocated. The mess hall served as the Northern Inyo Hospital from 1946-1949. In the following 50 years it was used as a storage space and eventually abandoned in a state of disrepair. After being moved to Manzanar, the restored mess hall with exhibits opened on January 14, 2011. Plan a visit to explore all of the Block 14 exhibits. 

 

Auditorium Restoration

Left image
Historic Manzanar auditorium before renovations (1995).
Credit: NPS Photo

Right image
Manzanar visitor center (2020).
Credit: NPS Photo

In February 1943 it was reported by the Manzanar Free Press that the War Relocation Authority authorized construction of an “assembly hall”. The auditorium was used for high school graduations, concerts, memorial services, and other gatherings until Manzanar War Relocation Center closed in November 1945. The War Assets Administration deeded the auditorium to Inyo County who was using the historic building as a county highway department garage and shop when the National Park Service purchased the building in 1995. The auditorium was restored and renovated for it’s grand opening as a visitor center in April 2004. Plan a visit to explore the exhibits, visit the bookstore and see the park film.