Aliceville in Pickens County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Aliceville Prisoner of War Camp

1942 - 1945

Photographed by Mark Hilton, February 19, 2016

1. Aliceville Prisoner of War Camp Marker

Inscription. During World War II, the United States Army interned 6,000 German prisoners of war here on a 400 acre site, employing 1,000 American military and civilian personnel. Major Karl H. Shriver commanded Corps of Engineers forces which began construction in August, 1942. Activated Dec. 12, 1942. First prisoners, from Gen. Erwin Rommel's Africa Korps, arrived by Frisco Railroad June 2, 1943. Camp first commanded by Col. F. A. Prince, later by Col. R. S. Grier. 400 frame buildings: barracks, hospital, bakeries, chapels, greenhouse, theaters; water and sewer systems, fire department, amphitheater, sports fields, gardens. Barbed wire compound with guard towers. 2 prisoners killed attempting to escape. Deactivated Sept. 30, 1945.

Erected 1989 by Aliceville Rotary Club and the Alabama Historical Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association, and the Rotary International series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is June 2, 1943.

Location. 33° 7.032′ N, 88° 10.409′ W. Marker is in Aliceville, Alabama, in

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Pickens County. It is at the intersection of Memorial Drive and Industrial Drive, on the right when traveling west on Memorial Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Memorial Drive, Aliceville AL 35442, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

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 the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Aliceville Cotton Mill (approx. one mile away); George Downer Field (approx. 1.1 miles away); Alabama, Tennessee & Northern Railroad Depot (approx. 1.4 miles away); Aliceville First Baptist Church (approx. 1½ miles away); R. J. Kirksey High School (approx. 1.7 miles away); a different marker also named Aliceville First Baptist Church (approx. 2.6 miles away); Old Bethany Cemetery (approx.

Only remains from original camp. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, February 19, 2016

2. Only remains from original camp.

The only structure remaining of the original camp is a single brick fireplace and chimney, part of the enlisted men's club for U.S. troops. The two small stone monuments were moved here from the old camp entrance.

5½ miles away); In Memory of James McCrory (approx. 5½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Aliceville.

Also see . . . Aliceville Museum website about Prisoner of War Camp. (Submitted on February 20, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

View south on Alabama Route 17 from Memorial Drive. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, February 19, 2016

3. View south on Alabama Route 17 from Memorial Drive.

Former location of part of the camp, now Sue Stabler Park. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, February 19, 2016

4. Former location of part of the camp, now Sue Stabler Park.

Closeup of stone entrance monument showing Corps of Engineers emblem. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, February 19, 2016

5. Closeup of stone entrance monument showing Corps of Engineers emblem.

Aliceville Prisoner of War Camp Museum sign. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, February 19, 2016

6. Aliceville Prisoner of War Camp Museum sign.

Museum is located at intersection of Memorial Parkway (SR-17) and Broad Street.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 26, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 20, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,794 times since then and 95 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 20, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.