Poston

Poston, located on the Colorado River Indian Reservation in Arizona, was the largest of the ten WRA concentration camps by physical area. It consisted of three separate units spread across 71,000 acres of desert land.

At its peak, Poston held 17,814 people, second only to Tule Lake in population. The camp's location on tribal land sparked controversy, as many Indigenous leaders opposed the use of reservation land for incarceration purposes.

The Arizona desert brought brutal conditions—extreme heat that regularly exceeded 120°F in summer, dust storms, and scorpions. The Colorado River provided some irrigation for agricultural projects, but living conditions remained harsh.

Despite challenges, Poston residents created extensive agricultural production, schools, and cultural programs. The camp became known for its baseball leagues and the Poston Chronicle newspaper.