The Amache National Historic Site in southeastern Colorado, once a site of injustice and incarceration for thousands of Japanese-Americans during World War II, has been transformed into a place of natural beauty and reflection.
On February 19th, 2024, Amache officially became America's newest national park, joining the ranks of iconic destinations like Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Grand Canyon.
A Journey from Incarceration to Conservation(Photo : David McNew/Getty Images)
Amache, located one mile outside of Granada, was one of the 10 incarceration sites used by the federal government to detain over 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry, most of them American citizens, after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.
The site was originally named Granada War Relocation Center, but was later renamed after a Cheyenne chief's daughter who married John Prowers, a prominent rancher in the area.
The incarceration of Japanese-Americans was a dark chapter in American history, marked by fear, prejudice, and violation of civil rights.
The conditions at Amache were harsh and cramped, with barbed wire fences, guard towers, and military police. The internees faced extreme weather, dust storms, and limited resources.
Despite the hardships, they tried to make the best of their situation, creating schools, gardens, newspapers, and art.
The site was closed in 1945, after the war ended, and the internees were allowed to return to their homes or relocate elsewhere.
Many of them lost their properties, businesses, and communities during their absence. Some of them never returned to Amache, while others came back to visit and pay tribute to their ancestors.
In 2006, Amache was designated as a National Historic Landmark, and in 2018, it was added to the National Park Service's list of potential new units.
In March 2022, President Joe Biden signed the Amache National Historic Site Act, which authorized the establishment of the park.
The act was sponsored by Colorado Senator Michael Bennet and Representative Ken Buck, and supported by various groups, including the Japanese American Citizens League, the Friends of Amache, and the National Parks Conservation Association.
The National Park Service Director Chuck Sams said that the creation of the park was a way of acknowledging the past injustices and honoring the resilience and contributions of the Japanese-American community.
He also said that the park would serve as a reminder of the importance of upholding the values of democracy and diversity in the nation.
Amache - A Beacon of Natural Beauty and Reflection
The Amache National Historic Site is not only a place of historical significance, but also a place of natural beauty and reflection.
The park covers 1,010 acres of land, which includes the original 640-acre incarceration site, as well as adjacent areas that were used for farming, recreation, and cemetery.
The park features a variety of landscapes, such as grasslands, wetlands, woodlands, and riparian zones, which provide habitats for wildlife and plants.
The park also offers opportunities for visitors to learn about the history and culture of Amache, as well as to enjoy the scenic views and recreational activities.
The park has a visitor center, a museum, a research center, and a memorial. The visitor center provides information, exhibits, and orientation programs for the public.
The museum displays artifacts, photographs, and documents that tell the stories of the internees and their lives at Amache. The research center houses archives, records, and oral histories that are available for scholars and researchers.
The memorial honors the 120 internees who died at Amache, as well as the 31 internees who served and died in the U.S. military during the war.
The park also has several trails, overlooks, and interpretive signs that allow visitors to explore the site and see the remnants of the barracks, mess halls, latrines, and other structures that were used by the internees.
The park also has a reconstructed guard tower and a water tower that serve as landmarks and symbols of the site. The park also hosts various events and programs throughout the year, such as guided tours, lectures, workshops, and ceremonies, to engage and educate the public about the history and legacy of Amache.
The Amache National Historic Site is more than just a park. It is a place of reconciliation and preservation, a place of growth and healing, a place of memory and hope. It is a place that reflects the nation's past, present, and future. It is a place that invites everyone to visit, learn, and reflect.