Alva in Woods County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)
Alva POW Camp
| | Alva Mural Society | |
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2024
1. Alva POW Camp Marker
The Alva Prisoner of War camp began receiving German prisoners in July of 1943. Prisoners arrived by rail and were marched 2½ miles to the camp located on the south edge of town.
Erected 2012 by Alva Mural Society. (Marker Number 24.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1943.
Location. 36° 48.213′ N, 98° 39.884′ W. Marker is in Alva, Oklahoma, in Woods County. It is at the intersection of Barnes Street and Government Street, on the right when traveling east on Barnes Street. The marker and mural are located on the east facade of the building at this address, near the northeast corner. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 427 Barnes Street, Alva OK 73717, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American South, specifically on the prairies, and on the Southern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically,
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 45th Infantry Div. (a few steps from this marker); Burning of the Castle on the Hill (a few steps from this marker); Woods County Centennial Wall (within shouting distance of this marker); The Supply Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Thunderbirds (within shouting distance of this marker); In Honor of the Growth of Cooperative Extension Continuing Education in Woods County (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); World War I Memorial (about 300 feet away); Monfort Drug and Book Store / Jim and Mary Holder (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alva.
Also see . . .
1. Alva, Oklahoma (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: During World War II, Alva was the site of a prisoner of war camp for German POWs. On July 19, 1943, the United States Department of War ordered that Camp Alva would be the place for the internment of the most troublesome German prisoners of war "Nazi leaders,(Submitted on January 31, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)Gestapo agents, and extremists".Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 20242. Alva POW Camp MarkerLooking west along Barnes Street. The marker and mural face the alley (on the left), perpendicular to Barnes Street (on the right). The marker is mounted below the bottom-right corner of the mural.
2. Camp Alva: Americas Hardcore POW Camp For Nazis (Medium.com).
(By Grady Bolding) Excerpt: During World War II, the United States federal government operated prison camps for German and Italian POWs. In accordance with the Geneva Convention, prisoners of this system enjoyed adequate living conditions and even access to education. However, hundreds of hardened Nazi ideologues remained hell bent on keeping Adolf Hitlers vision alive in these camps. Their power grew immense enough to threaten the lives of their fellow prisoners. For their transgressions, many a hardened Nazi were sent to a special Nazilager (Nazi camp) in northern Oklahoma(Submitted on January 31, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
3. Alva's German Prisoner of War "POW" Camp (The Okie Legacy).
Excerpt: In the Alva Review Courier, Sept. 10, 1995 Helen Barrett wrote an article concerning the POW tower and VFW Post. According to Helen Barrett, "In June 1944 the United States had nearly 300 prisoner of War(Submitted on January 31, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)camps in secret locations. By 1945 that number had increased to 666." She goes on to say, "Camp Alva, called 'Nazilager' by other German prisoners, provided housing for the dedicated Nazis, SS and Gestapo stalwarts and confirmed troublemakers. Many of the men were from Field Marshall Erwin Rommel's Afrika Korps, the German force that fought in North Africa."Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 20243. Alva POW Camp MuralThe mural was painted by Don Prechtel and Robbie Pierce in 2012.In the Time-Life Books publication titled "Prisoners of War" by Ronald H. Bailey, the author wrote, "Camp commanders tended to send to Alva anyone who proved troublesome regardless of his political bent." Because Alva was so far from either coast, it was ideal just in case prisoners tried to escape.
The camp site closed November 1945. All that remain of the camp site is the now remodeled VFW Post, the concrete water tower, and scattered throughout the Alva area are homes remodeled from buildings formerly serving as barracks at the camp.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 801 times since then and 181 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 31, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
