Near McLean in Gray County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

World War II Prisoner of War Camp at McLean

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 16, 2016

1. World War II Prisoner of War Camp at McLean Marker

Inscription. A permanent alien interment camp (prisoner of war camp) in the 8th Service Command was established here during World War II. Construction began in September 1942 and American military personnel and German prisoners began to arrive in July 1943. The site included 25-30 buildings to accommodate the military and civilian personnel required to operate the camp. Three large compounds housed the prisoners of war.

Other structures included warehouses, engineering and fire departments, carpenter shop, and water plants. Facilities for the military were comprised of barracks, nurses' and bachelor officers' quarters, officers' club, post exchange and commissary, theater, laundry, and barber shop. A small hospital was shared by the American military and the prisoners of war.

The first group of prisoners brought to McLean were members of the famed Afrika Korps commanded by General Erwin Rommel and were captured in North Africa. By October 1944 the camp exceeded its official capacity of 3,000 prisoners.

The community was closely involved with the camp, and many local citizens formed lasting friendships with some of the German prisoners.

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The camp closed in July 1945.

Erected 1997 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 5908.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1943.

Location. 35° 14.481′ N, 100° 32.335′ W. Marker is near McLean, Texas, in Gray County. It is at the intersection of County Line Road and Gray Z Road, on the left when traveling north on County Line Road. Marker is 0.8 miles north of I-40. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: McLean TX 79057, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Texas Panhandle.

It is also on the American Great Plains

and specifically on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

the Dust Bowl,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Devil's Rope Museum, McLean, Texas

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 16, 2016

2. World War II Prisoner of War Camp at McLean Marker

(approx. 3.4 miles away); Alfred Rowe (approx. 3½ miles away); Avalon Theater, McLean, Texas (approx. 3½ miles away); McLean Methodist Church (approx. 3.6 miles away); First Phillips 66 Station (approx. 3.6 miles away); Quanah Parker Trail (approx. 4 miles away); Old Pakan School (approx. 6.7 miles away); Alanreed Cemetery (approx. 10.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in McLean.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Phillips 66 Service Station, McLean, Texas (was approx. 3.6 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Texas Escapes article on the McLean POW Camp. (Submitted on December 10, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 16, 2016

3. World War II Prisoner of War Camp at McLean Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 12, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2016, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 3,933 times since then and 254 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 10, 2016, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.