The 100 Mile House Mural Society (100MHMS) will be unveiling a new plaque about the history of Japanese Internment Camps in the Cariboo at the 100 Mile Community Hall on Aug. 11 at 4:30 p.m.
The plaque follows the history of Joe Komori and his family from when they were first evicted from their homes in 1941 to rise of the Komori Lumber business.
“We felt it was still extremely important to recognize and honour the families of those interned at the Taylor Lake camp,” says Mural Society president Ruth Peterson.
This plaque, which is funded by the Hun City Hunnies, goes into great detail about Komori and his family’s experiences while living in the Internment Camp at Taylor Lake, southwest of Lone Butte.
The Mural Society originally considered a mural of the Taylor Lake Internment Camp, but circumstances did not allow that, so a plaque was created instead.
There are several comments from Komori about his childhood observation of what was happening to his family, calling it an adventure.
The plaque also goes into detail about Komori trying to understand the precautionary measures his people were living in despite the fact that no crimes were being committed.
However, this plaque talks about how the Japanese community came together and became experienced members of the forest extraction industry.
It was a tough life by today’s standards, but Komori says the people didn’t complain.
“We used Swede saws and double-bladed axes, and lots of muscle. Everyone was in good shape.”
The plaque also talks about the recreational activities the Japanese people would do on Sunday whether it was the softball league, which had three teams, or the skating on frozen Taylor Lake.
The plaque talks about what happened to the Komori family following the end of the Second World War and how his family cultivated an impressive logging industry in 70 Mile House with the Komori Mill.
This plaque will commemorate the hardships the Japanese people overcame in a time of unlawful eviction and discrimination.
“Our members are very pleased with the outcome of this project,” says Peterson.
“Keith Jackson put a tremendous effort into ensuring that the structure was professionally done. His idea to use a Japanese style roof was the perfect fit and we couldn’t be happier with the finished product.”
