Gila River

Gila River, located in the Arizona desert south of Phoenix, operated two separate camps known as Canal and Butte. At its peak, it held 13,348 people, making it one of the larger incarceration facilities.

The camp was located on the Gila River Indian Reservation, raising similar ethical concerns as Poston about using tribal lands for imprisonment. The community was primarily composed of Japanese Americans from California and Arizona.

Gila River was notorious for its extreme heat, with summer temperatures routinely exceeding 125°F. The desert environment brought dust storms, rattlesnakes, scorpions, and minimal shade or relief from the sun.

Despite the harsh conditions, residents developed innovative cooling strategies, created agricultural projects using canal irrigation, and built a sense of community through schools, sports, and cultural activities.