These Wyoming farmers escaped WWII internment – then helped those who didn’t

The Ando and Kawano Families’ Aid to Heart Mountain

When Heart Mountain camp opened in 1942, seven Japanese American families already called Wyoming’s Bighorn Basin home. The Ando and Kawano families stood out.

Muragi Ando had farmed there since the 1930s, while Yonosuke Kawano built his farm near Powell in 1922. Unlike the 14,000 people behind barbed wire, these families moved freely thanks to a practical local sheriff.

Soon after, they shared their farming know-how with camp residents, giving talks on victory gardens and donating seeds. Chuck Ando even hired camp workers and later married one.

The story of these remarkable families unfolds at Heart Mountain Interpretive Center, where their legacy of hope still resonates today.

Seven Japanese American Families Stayed Free While Thousands Got Locked Up

Only seven Japanese American families lived near Heart Mountain when the camp opened in 1942.

These families had built homes in Wyoming’s Bighorn Basin years before the war, which kept them from going to internment camps. The Ando and Kawano families stood out among this small group.

They helped the 14,000 Japanese Americans locked behind barbed wire at Heart Mountain by sharing their farming knowledge about growing crops in Wyoming’s tough climate.

Muragi Ando Started With Nothing But Built A Good Farm

Muragi Ando left Japan in 1907 looking for a better life in America. He worked long hours on Montana farms, saving every penny.

He bought his own farm in Park County, Wyoming during the 1930s. He and his wife Miyono raised six children while farming.

By the time war broke out, the Andos knew how to grow crops in Wyoming’s short growing season and rough weather.

The Kawano Family Grew Strong In Powell For Twenty Years

Yonosuke Kawano moved to Powell around 1922, twenty years before Heart Mountain camp opened.

He turned tough land into a good farm despite Wyoming’s harsh climate. The Kawano family grew to include twelve children who all helped with farm work.

Local farmers came to respect Kawano’s farming skills long before the government started forcing Japanese Americans into camps.

Local Farmers Taught Camp People How To Grow Food In Wyoming Soil

The Heart Mountain Sentinel newspaper said in early 1943 that Ando and Kawano would talk about growing victory gardens.

The paper called them “pioneer farmers who have given priceless help to the farming department.” Camp leaders knew these local farmers understood what crops would grow nearby.

People in the camp packed the meetings, eager to learn from farmers who knew Wyoming farming through years of trying.

The Kawanos Gave Seeds And Advice To Camp Folks

Yonosuke Kawano gave fifty pounds of adzuki beans and 100 pounds of string beans to Heart Mountain farmers. These weren’t just seeds but hope for people who had lost their homes.

Kawano showed them which Japanese crops could live through Wyoming’s short growing season. He taught them tricks for dealing with the bad soil and crazy weather.

This help made a big difference for families trying to add fresh vegetables to camp food.

Chuck Ando Made Jobs That Let Camp People Work Outside The Fence

Chuck Ando, Muragi’s son, hired workers from Heart Mountain to help on his family farm. These jobs let camp people earn money and spend time outside.

The work gave more than just pay – it offered pride during a shameful time. Workers gained skills they could use after the war ended.

For many, these jobs became a link to the outside world and showed that not all Americans feared them.

Love Grew Between A Free Farmer And Camp Housekeeper

Chuck Ando hired Marguerite Takaki from Heart Mountain as his housekeeper. What started as a job grew into something more as they spent time together.

Despite the war and their different lives, they fell in love. They got married, creating a strong bond between the free and locked-up Japanese American groups.

Their story shows how people connected even during this dark time in American history.

Pioneer Families Showed A Possible Life In Wyoming

The success of the Ando and Kawano families gave Heart Mountain camp people hope for life after the war.

Some looked at these settled farmers and saw proof that Japanese Americans could build good lives in Wyoming.

This led several families to stay in the area after the camp closed. The pioneer families helped newcomers find land, learn farming, and meet local people.

Local Towns Welcomed Their Japanese American Neighbors

By the time the war ended, the pioneer Japanese American families had become fully accepted in their towns. Powell celebrated when Eddie Kawano helped the high school win the 1957 state football championship.

These families bridged cultural gaps and paved the way for former camp people who decided to stay in Wyoming.

Their deep community ties helped change minds in towns that might otherwise have disliked Japanese Americans.

The Ando-Kawano Legacy Lives On In Wyoming Today

The community united in grief when Curtis Ando died from friendly fire while serving in Vietnam. His sacrifice symbolized how completely these families had become part of Wyoming’s fabric.

The pioneer families’ stories reveal a complex side of the Japanese American experience during World War II. Their assistance to Heart Mountain internees created bonds that lasted for generations.

Today, their descendants still farm the same land, keeping alive the legacy of those who extended helping hands across barbed wire during America’s darkest days.

Visiting Heart Mountain Relocation Center, Wyoming

Heart Mountain Relocation Center is at 1539 Road 19, Powell, between Cody and Powell. Admission costs $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, $10 for kids 10-17, and free for children under 10.

You can explore interactive exhibits, watch a 14-minute film, and walk through original camp buildings.

The center opens daily 10am-5pm in summer and Wednesday-Saturday 10am-5pm in winter. It’s one hour from Yellowstone’s East Entrance.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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