What Is Tule Lake National Monument?
Formerly known as World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, Tule Lake, this site preserves the Tule Lake Segregation Center and Camp Tulelake!
What Makes It Historical?
In 1943, the War Department and War Relocation Authority joined forces to figure out how to recruit Japanese-American soldiers for a segregated military unit. They concocted a questionnaire with almost 30 confusing questions, questions about foreswearing loyalty to the Emperor of Japan and serving in the U.S. military. Lots of these Japanese-Americans had never had loyalty to the Emperor and had nothing to foreswear and answered “No.” Others were afraid that willingness to serve in the U.S. military meant they would have to fight.
Those who answered “No” on these questions were labeled disloyal and wound up in the Tule Lake Segregation Center, in the distant and desolate lava beds of northern California! There were 18,789 of them here during its time as a segregation center between September 1943 and July 15, 1944! That made Tule Lake the largest internment camp for Japanese-Americans in the US!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Volunteer at Tule Lake National Monument!
- Donate to Tule Lake National Monument!
- Be a responsible visitor! Remember the old adages: Pack out what you pack in! Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints!
How Do I Get There?
Visitor Center:
- 800 Main St
Tulelake, CA 96134
Tule Lake Segregation Center
- NE corner of State Hwy 139 and Co Rd 176
Newell, CA 96134
Camp Tulelake
- W side of Hill Road, 1 mile south of Kandra Road
Tulelake, CA 96134
When Should I Visit the Park?
The museum is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, and you can make reserve a tour of the two sites from there!
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