Tyler in Smith County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Camp Fannin Internment Camp

World War II P.O.W. Camp

By Mike Stroud, September 13, 2012

1. Camp Fannin Internment Camp Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Camp Fannin was also the site of an internment camp, with the first prisoners of war (POWs) from Germany's Afrika Korps arriving in Oct. 1943. By early 1944, the military designated the site a POW base camp that administered a number of smaller branch camps in East Texas. As a result of a home front wartime manpower scarcity, upon the request of local representatives, the War Department allowed the use of POW labor in forestry and agriculture in East Texas. During its existence, the camp efficiently processed many thousands of POWs and held more than 1,000 at this location. After repatriating the POWs, the camp closed on May 10, 1946. Texas in WW II Property of the State of Texas

Erected 2008 by Texas in WW II ,Property of the State of Texas. (Marker Number 14566.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II.

Location. 32° 25.794′ N, 95° 11.746′ W. Marker is in Tyler, Texas, in Smith County. Marker is on U.S. 271 near Hillcrest Road (County Road 3177), on the right when

Camp Fannin Internment Camp Marker (right), shares location with Camp Fannin Marker (center) image. Click for full size.

By Mike Stroud, September 13, 2012

2. Camp Fannin Internment Camp Marker (right), shares location with Camp Fannin Marker (center)

traveling west. Located between Farm to Market 3270 and Chapman Road (County Road 334). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tyler TX 75702, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Camp Fannin (here, next to this marker); Camp Fannin, Texas (approx. 0.9 miles away); Our Land - Our Heritage (approx. one mile away); Nicholas Wren 1807-1859 (approx. 2.8 miles away); Harris Creek Cemetery (approx. 2.8 miles away); Scouts of Texas Army (approx. 2.8 miles away); Elisha Everett Lott (approx. 3.1 miles away); Shamburger Cemetery (approx. 4.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tyler.

Camp Fannin Internment Camp Marker, looking southwest along US 271 image. Click for full size.

By Mike Stroud, September 13, 2012

3. Camp Fannin Internment Camp Marker, looking southwest along US 271

Camp Fannin Internment Camp Marker, as seen looking northeast along US 271 image. Click for full size.

By Mike Stroud, September 13, 2012

4. Camp Fannin Internment Camp Marker, as seen looking northeast along US 271

Credits. This page was last revised on August 28, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 644 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 30, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.