(First frost)
–Excerpts from the Daily Log of the WAR RELOCATION AUTHORITY Central Utah Relocation Project, Project Reports Division, Historical Section. Topaz, Utah
“SEPTEMBER 18 (1942)
SECOND CONTINGENT — 482 individuals formed the second large contingent to arrive in Topaz. The train reached Delta at 9:28 a.m., and the last bus to transfer the newcomers from the station to Topaz arrived at 12:51 p.m. at the induction hall.
“SEPTEMBER 19
FIRST FROST — The first frost of the season greeted the residents today. At 7 a.m., it was 30 degrees. Ice was found in the shower rooms and wash basins.
NO MATTRESSES — Mattresses failed to arrive on schedule for the new arrivals.
CITY POPULATION — 511 persons reached Topaz to swell the city’s population.
“FOURTH MASS MEET — The fourth mass meeting was held at 8:15 p.m. under the chairmanship of Goro Suzuki, welcoming the newcomers from Tanforan. Administrative officials were present.
“SEPTEMBER 20
498 ARRIVE — 498 individuals were inducted. The last one was housed at 3:50 p.m.
“SEPTEMBER 21
HEATING STOVES — Five carloads of heating stoves arrived at Delta. These stoves were for the rooms of the residents.
505 ASSIGNED — 505 evacuees arrived and were assigned to apartments in Blocks 9 and 16.”
The Topaz Stories Team
Plan to visit the Topaz Stories Exhibit in Salt Lake City.
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Media Coverage:
Watch Topaz survivors tell their stories (abc4 news, 4/22/2022)
Listen to the “In the Hive” podcast with interviews with Ann Dion, Jonathan Hirabayashi, and Topaz survivors Jeanie Kashima and Joseph Nishimura (KCPW, 4/28/2022)
Read How a Utah exhibit about Topaz Camp looks to find empathy in ‘an ugly stain on American history (ksl.com, 4/22/2022)
Read “Topaz Stories rise from the dust,” (Department of Culture & Community Engagement, 4/2022)
Listen to KQED Forum, Day of Remembrance interview with Ruth Sasaki, 2/15/2022
Listen to Max Chang and Ruth Sasaki interviewed (KRCL RadioActive, 2/9/2022
Read On Topaz Stories and ‘Authentic Voice’, the Discover Nikkei interview with Ruth Sasaki (10/14/2022)
Listen to Remembering the Japanese American Incarceration, the Topaz Stories podcast with Ruth Sasaki and Jonathan Hirabayashi (6/2/2021)