To commemorate the 4,669 Americans of Japanese ancestry detained at the Merced County
Fairgrounds from April to September 1942, the Merced Assembly Center Commemorative Committee (MACCC) is working on erecting a monument that is scheduled to unveil on Feb. 20, 2010.
As part of the educational component of this project, the MACCC is also developing a documentary about the experience.
If you have any stories to share, contact the Merced County Courthouse Museum office at (209) 723-2401.
There’s a good article on the construction of the Center in the August 1, 2009 edition of the Merced Sun-Star. Following is an excerpt.
Merced received orders from the Army to begin construction on March 26, 1942. It was built in a shocking 11 days, operating 24 hours a day in two 12-hour shifts. It was also built eight days ahead of its April 15 deadline, largely due to the use of concrete and assembly line practices.
Under U.S. engineers Caldwell and Duckering, the Harris Construction Co. of Fresno was commissioned as the main contracting company.
Others also helped to erect the over 250 buildings. On March 30, three days after construction first began, it was reported that over 1,000 men were working on the project.
