Near Dexter in Chaves County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Roswell Prisoner of War Camp

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 9, 2023

1. Roswell Prisoner of War Camp (Side One)

Inscription. Camp Roswell was one of the first and largest base camps built in the U.S. and was located on Orchard Park Road. The camp operated from August 1942 to February 1946 and interned 4,816 German POWs at its peak. Camp construction was similar to Army training centers with the addition of watchtowers and fences. Most POWs performed agricultural labor, particularly during cotton season. Associated smaller side camps were located in Fort Sumner, Artesia, and Dexter.

During World War II, 155 prisoner of war (POW) base camps and 511 branch camps were constructed in 46 states. By 1945, over 425,000 German, Italian, and Japanese POWs were held in the U.S., including more than 371,000 Germans. POWs worked in farms, mills, canneries, public works projects, and other low-risk jobs that alleviated labor shortages during the war. New Mexico's larger camps were located in Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Lordsburg, Roswell, and Santa Fe.

Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1942.

Location. 33° 15.154′ N, 104° 27.769′ W. Marker is near Dexter, New Mexico, in Chaves County. Marker is on U.S. 285, 0.2 miles south of East

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Orchard Park Road (County Road 59), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dexter NM 88230, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Walker Air Force Base (approx. 6 miles away); Roswell (approx. 7.6 miles away); a different marker also named Roswell (approx. 9.9 miles away); Patrick Floyd Jarvis Garrett (approx. 10½ miles away); New Mexico Navy Veterans Monument (approx. 10½ miles away); Home of the James Phelps White Family (approx. 10.6 miles away); Roswell’s First General Store and Post Office (approx. 10.6 miles away); Chaves County Court House (approx. 10.6 miles away).

Also see . . . The legacy of the German POWs. Reminders of the war prisoners' time in New Mexico remain, from painted windows in a local church to an iron cross made from rocks along a riverbank. (Janice Dunnahoo, Roswell Daily Record, June 3, 2018) (Submitted on October 31, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Roswell Prisoner of War Camp (Side Two) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 9, 2023

2. Roswell Prisoner of War Camp (Side Two)

Roswell Prisoner of War Camp / Continued Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 9, 2023

3. Roswell Prisoner of War Camp / Continued Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 356 times since then and 308 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 31, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.