In the West Kootenay region of south-central British Columbia (BC), the Canadian government established eight government-supported internment camps. Among these, New Denver and Rosebery were located along the eastern side of Slocan Lake, Sandon lay in the mountainous region, and Kaslo was located on the western shore of Kootenay Lake.
These towns had briefly thrived during the mining boom of the early 20th century. Still, they became ghost towns following the decline of the mining industry.
When the Canadian government initiated the internment of Japanese Canadians, the existing infrastructure in this region was repurposed to establish internment sites.
New Denver
In 1942, Japanese Canadians arrived in New Denver, and at its peak, approximately 1,505 people were interned. It was the third-largest internment site in the province in 1942. Later, New Denver became a center for healthcare and welfare, including establishing a tuberculosis sanatorium.
After World War II ended, many internment sites were closed, but the Japanese Canadian community in New Denver remained. Today, this site is home to the Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre (NIMC), which preserves and shares the history of Japanese Canadian internment.
Rosebery
Located about 4 kilometres north of New Denver, Rosebery housed approximately 365 people. Known as a satellite camp of New Denver, the living conditions there were also harsh. Today, the site of the former internment camp is preserved as a historical heritage site.
Sandon
Once a bustling mining hub, Sandon was repurposed as an internment site in 1942, housing approximately 953 people, many of whom were Buddhists. However, the site proved incredibly challenging due to its remote, mountainous location, limited sunlight and harsh winter conditions. The Japanese Canadians were eventually relocated to New Denver, making Sandon the first internment camp to close.
Kaslo
Kaslo, which had previously declined, became a town with about 1,200 internees. The Japanese Canadians worked to improve their living conditions by renovating aging buildings and constructing Japanese-style baths.
***
***
