Douglas in Converse County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
Douglas World War II POW Camp
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 1, 2025
1. Douglas World War II POW Camp Marker
Inscription.
Douglas World War II POW Camp. . Between 1942 and 1946 a prisoner of war camp was located at this point west of Douglas. At first nearly two thousand Italian prisoners who had been captured in North Africa were quartered here, but they were released after the surrender of Italy in 1944: then German prisoners took their place, numbering ultimately over three thousand. Over a square mile in size, the camp had barracks, service buildings, and one of the most substantial hospitals in this area of Wyoming. The prisoners were put to work in the fields of nearby farmers to solve some of the World War Il labor shortage, and in the process they grew close to the families of the area. After the war, when the prisoners were returned to their homes, some continued to correspond with people they had met at this camp and community. The hospital served the local population as well, and the Army was meticulous in its requirement that the humane treatment of the Geneva Accords be followed in hopes that other nations would follow the example of the United States. In the Officers Club, some of the prisoners contributed artwork that still remains, one of the few vestiges of this important POW camp.
Between 1942 and 1946 a prisoner of war camp was located at this point west of
Douglas. At first nearly two thousand Italian prisoners who had been captured in North Africa were quartered here, but they were released after the surrender of Italy in 1944: then German prisoners took their place, numbering ultimately over three thousand. Over a square mile in size, the camp had barracks, service buildings, and one of the most substantial hospitals in this area of Wyoming. The prisoners were put to work in the fields of nearby farmers to solve some of the World War Il labor shortage, and in the process they grew close to the families of the area. After the war, when the prisoners were returned to their homes, some continued to correspond with people they had met at this camp and community. The hospital served the local population as well, and the Army was meticulous in its requirement that the humane treatment of the Geneva
Accords be followed in hopes that other nations would follow the example of the United States. In the Officers Club, some of the prisoners contributed artwork that still remains, one of the few vestiges
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of this important POW camp.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1942.
Location. 42° 45.538′ N, 105° 24.363′ W. Marker is in Douglas, Wyoming, in Converse County. It is on South Riverbend Drive (Wyoming Route 94) south of Carver Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 115 S Riverbend Drive, Douglas WY 82633, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Wyoming’s Westward Expansion Trails Region and in the Powder River Basin. It is also in the American Mountain West, on the Great Plains, and specifically on the High Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Discover Historic Fort Fetterman (approx. 0.8 miles away); Camp Douglas (approx. 0.8 miles away); John Hunton (approx. 0.8 miles away); Douglas (approx. 0.9 miles away);
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 1, 2025
2. Douglas World War II POW Camp Marker north of the historic site
More about this marker. The building is now the POW Camp Douglas Officers' Club State Historic Site. The highlight of the site is murals painted Italian POWs at the Officer's Club.
During World War II, Douglas had the primary prisoner of war (POW) camp for Wyoming. All other POW camps in Wyoming were satellite sites of Douglas. The camp was over a square mile in size, comprised of 180 buildings, which housed up to 2,000 Italian and 3,000 German POWs and 500 army personnel from the spring of 1943 to the winter of 1946. At the time, the camp was larger than the town of Douglas. The only building standing today is the Officers Club, which is now the Camp Douglas
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 1, 2025
3. POW Camp Douglas Officers' Club State Historic Site sign
Officers' Club State Historic Site.
(Submitted on August 2, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 163 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on August 2, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
