Tule Lake is now a National Monument 

 

Tule Lake Preservation Efforts: A Snapshot

June 2013

 

Tule Lake tells a cautionary tale to Californians and all Americans of the need for continuing vigilance to protect our civil liberties and civil rights. Tule Lake’s national significance as a segregation center and its unique and tragic role in American history is reflected in its National Historic Landmark status (2006) and its National Monument status (2008).

 

National Monument Dedication: On December 5, 2008, the Tule Lake Segregation Center NHL area and Camp Tule Lake, a former CCC camp, were designated as part of the Tule Lake Unit of the Valor in the Pacific National Monument by Presidential proclamation under the Antiquities Act, supported by the NPS, and advocacy by the Conservation Fund, the JACL and the Tule Lake Committee. At a special 2009 Tule Lake pilgrimage, the Tule Lake Committee and the National Park Service presented a dedication ceremony for the new monument. Over 400 people attended, including the NPS Pacific West Regional Director Jon Jarvis (now Director of the NPS), Fish & Wildlife Director of the Pacific Southwest Region, No. California Japanese Consul General, members of the Modoc County Board of Supervisors and the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors, the Mayor of Tulelake, the National Director of the JACL, and representatives from the offices of U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui, U.S. Rep. Wally Herger, and U.S. Rep. Tom McClintock.