These photos of Japanese-Americans and a few resident aliens on their way to internment for the duration of World War II are accompanied by captions that avoid the language of imprisonment or confinement. Instead of internment, there is talk of “evacuation” and the War Relocation Authority.

These pictures also suggest what a rupture the location of their internment would represent. It is hard to imagine these urbanites stepping out into the barely settled terrain they were headed to, even if an advanced party of men without dependents was sent out a few weeks in advance to prepare for the others' arrival.

Very young Japanese-American girl wearing long pants, a shirt whose cuffs are visible, an overcoat, low-cut leather laces, and a wool or felt hat with a ribbon. She's sitting on the family's packed belongings and holding a doll that looks enormous in her small arms.

"Los Angeles, California. The evacuation of the Japanese-Americans from West Coast areas under U.S. Army war emergency order. Japanese-American children waiting for a train to take them and their parents to Owens Valley." Photo taken in April 1942 by Russell Lee.

A larger group of Japanese-Americans with their luggage at the train station. Train carriages for passengers are visible. So are cars in the parking lot and military police.

“Los Angeles, California. The evacuation of the Japanese-Americans from West Coast areas under U.S. Army war emergency order. Japanese-Americans and a few alien Japanese waiting for a train which will take them to Owens Valley.” Photo taken in April 1942 by Russell Lee.

Bilingual paper announcement on a notice board that is mounted on an outdoor brick wall. It orders 1,000 men to sign up by Thursday morning for transport on Monday morning. The signup location is a school, which would be open all night. The notice seems to have been updated because it is telling people they need these sign-ups 'tonite'.

“Los Angeles, California. The evacuation of Japanese-Americans from West coast areas under United States Army war emergency order. The Japanese referred to in this sign were an advance group going to Owens Valley for construction work.” Photo taken in April 1942 by Russell Lee.

Rugged terrain far away from the affordances of a modern American city. Men clearing brush and building barracks.

“Manzanar, Calif. Apr. 1942. Construction beginning at the War Relocation Authority center for evacuees of Japanese ancestry, in Owens Valley. Mt. Whitney, loftiest peak in the United States, appears in the background.” Photo by Clem Albers.

Source: Library of Congress: Farm Security Administration / Office of War Information Photograph Collection, https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2017744879, …/2017744872, …/2017817916, and …/2021647198.