Terminal Island Memorial
N 33° 43.834 W 118° 16.100
11S E 382500 N 3733005
A memorial to the fishing village that used to exist on Terminal Island in the Port of Los Angeles, prior to World War II. In February of 1942, all residents of Japanese ancestry were ordered to leave on 48 hours notice to be interned.
Waymark Code: WM6Y54
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 08/04/2009
Views: 7
Black Current off our shore
Fishes so plentiful
Yet, hardships parents endured
We remember
And honor forever
Our village no more
-From the memorial
In a very out-of-the-way corner of Terminal Island, just after one of the boatyards, and just before you get to the Terminal Island Federal Correctional Institution, you can find this memorial, which was put up in 2002. Before WWII, three thousand people lived in East San Pedro and made their living from the sea, went to school, worked in canneries here. There were shops, churches, shrines and a public school.
Afer the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Terminal Islanders, under scrutiny because of their port location and rising racial hysteria, became suspect for owning boats and for short wave radios they used to communicate to the canneries. All Japanese owning commercial boats were immediately questioned and forbidden to leave the harbor, then were arrested two days later. Within 48 hours, 1,291 Issei had been arrested and detained. On February 25, 1942, following President Roosevelt's signing of Executive Order 9066, the order was given that all remaining villagers of Japanese descent must vacate Terminal Island within 48 hours; Terminal Islanders were the first to be interned, most at Manzanar, CA. By April, most of the village was gone forever, demolished by the US Navy.
A Village Disappeared
There is a geocache nearby commemorating this memorial as well, if you're interested.