Amache (Granada)

Amache (officially Granada Relocation Center) was located on the windswept plains of southeastern Colorado. It housed 7,318 people at its peak, making it temporarily the tenth-largest city in Colorado during the war.

The camp was named after a Cheyenne woman, though it has come to be more commonly known as Amache among survivors and descendants. It operated from August 1942 to October 1945.

The Colorado plains brought severe weather—intense heat in summer, frigid winters, and constant wind that kicked up dust and sand. Barracks provided minimal protection from the elements.

Despite these conditions, Amache residents created a strong community with schools, a silk screen shop, agricultural production, and cultural activities. The camp maintained a relatively cooperative relationship with the nearby town of Granada, though surveillance and restrictions remained constant.