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Show Department of Community and Economic Development DA VID HARM ER £ recutil'e Director State of Utah Division of State History / Utah State Historical Society PHILIP F. NOTARIANNI Dil'isioll Directo r OLENE S. WALKER Governor GA YLE McKEACHNIE Lieutellant Govl'rllor October 20, 2004 NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARKS SURVEY NATIONAL PARK SERVICE 1849 C STREET, NW, 2280, WASHINGTON, DC 20842 To Whom It May Concern: I would like to give my support for consideration of the Topaz Relocation Center (Millard County, Utah) to be studied for possible National Historic Landmark designation as outlined in the "Japanese Americans In World War II" National Historic Landmark Theme Study. Although the report only recommends a boundary increase to the existing National Register nomination, I feel this site has enough significance for it to be a National Historic Landmark. Although most of the buildings have been removed to other areas, there are several features remaining that attest to Topaz' s use as a relocation center. These features include the original street layout, barbed wire fence, roads, paths, garden areas, building foundation outlines, and concrete foundations of structures such as mess halls, latrines, the fire station and the hospital. Many of those who lived at Topaz also lent significance to the site. Fred Korematsu and Misuye Endo, both of whom were defendants in two of the four Supreme Court test cases on internment, were residents here. The Court ruled in Endo's favor and basically ended internment. A significant event occurred at the camp when James Wakasa was shot and killed by a soldier who thought he was trying to escape. Thank you for considering the Topaz Relocation Center for National Historic Landmark designation. If you have questions about these comments, please contact me at 801/533-3515, or at pnotarianni@utah.gov. Sincerely, Phillip F. Notarianni, Ph.D. Director Utah Division of State History 300 So uth .Ri o Grande , Salt Lake City. UT 84101 • telephone (801) 533-3500 • facsimile (801 ) 533-3503 • www.history.utah.gov Utah! W here ideas con nect |
