Alto in Cherokee County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Camp Alto, World War II Prisoner of War Camp
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, December 2, 2025
1. Camp Alto, World War II Prisoner of War Camp Marker
The U.S. Army built stateside camps by early 1942 to house prisoners of war (POWs). Camp Alto south of this site was a small branch operation of the Camp Fannin base facility in Tyler. The military set up branch camps to address local labor needs brought about by wartime shortages. With approximately 100 German POWs living in tents, Camp Alto began operating in the fall of 1944. The majority of POWs cut pulpwood for the East Texas ice storm salvage project. With the end of the war imminent, branch camps sent POWs to larger base camps as a step toward eventual repatriation. Its mission accomplished, Camp Alto closed in the spring of 1945 under direction of the War Assets Administration. Texas in World War II
Erected 2006 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 13703.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II.
Location. 31° 39.023′ N, 95° 5.564′ W. Marker is in Alto, Texas, in Cherokee County. It is on State Highway 294 0.9 miles State Highway 21. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Alto TX 75925, United States
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Regionally, this marker is in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and in the Piney Woods. 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 Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Site of the Delaware Indian Village (approx. 0.9 miles away); Stella Salmon Hill (approx. one mile away); Robert F. Mitchell (approx. 1.1 miles away); Site of Lacy's Fort (approx. 1.1 miles away); Kings Highway Camino Real Old San Antonio Road (approx. 1.2 miles away); A. Frank Smith United Methodist Church (approx. 1.2 miles away); Terrell Lodge No. 83 A.F. & A.M. (approx. 1.2 miles away); Chief Bowles' Last Homesite (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alto.
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, December 2, 2025
2. Camp Alto, World War II Prisoner of War Camp Marker
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, July 12, 2022
3. Camp Alto, World War II Prisoner of War Camp Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2022, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,247 times since then and 128 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 3, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. 3. submitted on December 8, 2022, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
