The Truth Behind "Jap Hill" in Grand Terrace, California

A persistent local legend claims the hilltop area known as "Jap Hill" in Grand Terrace (San Bernardino County) was a Japanese American internment camp during World War II. This is historically inaccurate.

What We Know

• No WRA Camp Existed There: The War Relocation Authority operated 10 main camps (e.g., Manzanar, Tule Lake, Poston) – none in Grand Terrace.
• No Assembly Center: Temporary "assembly centers" (like Pomona, Santa Anita) were at fairgrounds/race tracks, not hilltops.
• Name Origin Unknown: No official documentation explains the name. It may reflect pre-war Japanese American farming communities in the area, post-war slang, or a long-forgotten local reference.

Actual Japanese American History in the Region

Southern California had vibrant Japanese American communities pre-1942 (especially in Terminal Island, Little Tokyo, and agricultural areas like the Inland Empire). After Executive Order 9066, most were sent to Manzanar (Owens Valley) or Poston (Arizona). Some Grand Terrace residents may have been among them, but the hill itself was not a camp.

Why the Legend Persists

The name's offensive slur ("Jap") combined with the area's proximity to actual internment history creates a plausible-sounding narrative. It underscores the importance of verifying local lore against historical records.