Camp Amache Barracks Being Rebuilt

Barracks Construction Site at Camp Amache

Section by section, portions of Camp Amache near Granada are being restored to represent the scope of life in the internment camp used to hold over 4,000 Japanese Americans during World War II.

Camp Amache Guard Tower

A water tower and a guard tower have been rebuilt and now work is underway reconstructing a former barracks between the two other structures located at the southern corner of the camp.  Pat Palmer, a local historian enthusiast, spent a portion of his weekend with friends and other historically interested persons, laying down several thousand bricks used as a floor base on one of the barracks.

Early Stages of Water Tower Construction 2014

“We’d like to accumulate any of the original bricks if possible,” Palmer stated, “but we’re gathering as many used bricks as we can to reach our goal of 10,000.”  Some recent bricks came from what was known as The Plantation or the Sundowner which was in operation over 25 years ago along East Olive Street in Lamar, somewhere in the vicinity of what was called ‘Treasure Island’.  Palmer said some older residents would be familiar with those names, relating to a former restaurant and night spot in town, as well as adjacent acreage which housed used vehicles.  “The barracks weren’t very intricate, but they put down wooden flooring over the bricks which formed the bottom foundation of each building,” Palmer explained.

Colorado Preservation Incorporated out of Denver was on site this past weekend as well as a host of volunteers, including John Hopper who has spent numerous years preserving the Camp and introducing his Granada school students to the historical value of the internment camp.  Others involved in the brick laying over the weekend included Susan and Mike Crites, Shirley Pampus, Donnie and Tana Emick, Adam Hopper and Abby Harmon.  Palmer added that the flooring is expected to be available by the end of the month.

By Russ Baldwin