Marker text: SALINAS TEMPORARY DETENTION CENTER
This monument is dedicated to the 3,586 Monterey Bay Area residents of Japanese ancestry, most of whom were American citizens, temporarily confined in the Salinas Rodeo Grounds during World War II from April to July 1942. They were detained without charges, trial, or establishment of guilt before being incarcerated in permanent camps, mostly at Poston, Arizona. May such injustice and humiliation never recur.
California Registered Historical Landmark No. 934
Plaque placed by the State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the Japanese American Citizens League Chapters of Salinas Valley, Gilroy, Monterey Peninsula, San Benito County and Watsonville and the City of Salinas, February 19, 1984.