Camp Kohler facts for kids

Interned Japanese-American family arriving at the Sacramento Assembly Center (May 20, 1942)

Camp Kohler was a site in Sacramento County, California. It had many different uses over the years. It started as a place for farm workers to live. Later, during World War II, it became a temporary holding center for Japanese Americans. This center was called the Sacramento Assembly Center. After that, it was used as a training camp for the U.S. Army. Sadly, a big fire destroyed many of its buildings in 1947.

A Place with Many Stories

Camp Kohler played several important roles in its history. Each role shows a different part of California's past.

From Farm Workers to a War Camp

Camp Kohler first opened to help migrant farm workers. These workers traveled around to pick crops. They needed a place to stay while they worked.

Japanese American Assembly Center

During World War II, the United States government forced many Japanese Americans to leave their homes. This happened especially to those living on the West Coast. They were sent to special camps. Camp Kohler became one of these temporary camps in 1942. It was known as the Sacramento Assembly Center.

• Over 4,700 Japanese Americans were held here.
• They came from Sacramento and San Joaquin Counties.
• The camp was run by the Wartime Civilian Control Administration.
• It was one of 15 temporary sites.
• People stayed there while waiting for transfer to larger, more permanent camps.
• The Sacramento Assembly Center was also called the Walerga Assembly Center.
• It operated for 52 days, from May 6 to June 26, 1942.

A Training Ground for Soldiers

After the Japanese Americans were moved, the site changed again. It became a training camp for the Army Signal Corps. This part of the Army works with communications.

• The camp was officially named Camp Kohler Training Camp.
• It also served as the Walegra Engineer Depot during the war.
• The camp had housing for about 5,000 soldiers.
• It included areas for training and obstacle courses.
• There was even a swimming pool and a hospital.
• A Southern Pacific Railway line helped move supplies.
• The camp closed in December 1946.
• A large fire destroyed many wooden buildings on June 20, 1947.

Life After the War

After World War II ended, many Japanese Americans faced new challenges. They had lost their homes and jobs. It was hard for them to find new places to live.

• About 234 Japanese American families temporarily lived at Camp Kohler.
• This happened in late 1945.
• They stayed there because they had nowhere else to go.

Camp Kohler Today

Today, the land where Camp Kohler once stood is part of a neighborhood. This area is called Foothill Farms. It is just outside the city of Sacramento.

• You can find a sign on Roseville Road that says "Camp Kohler."
• It is located at 5922 Roseville Rd, Gate 201.
• There are still some signs of the old camp.
• You can see remnants in Walerga Park.
• A special plaque marks the site as California Historical Landmark #934.
• This landmark remembers the temporary detention camps for Japanese Americans.