Camp Opelika
| Company type | Prisoner of war camp |
|---|---|
| Industry | Military detention facility |
| Founded | September 1942 |
| Defunct | September 1945 |
| Headquarters | Opelika , United States |
Area served | German POWs during World War II |
Camp Opelika functioned as a prisoner of war (POW) facility during World War II in Opelika, Alabama. Its construction began in September 1942, and the camp was decommissioned in September 1945. The site accommodated approximately 3,000 German captives, mainly soldiers from General Erwin Rommel's Africa Corps.
Present
Artifacts originating from Camp Opelika are exhibited at the Museum of East Alabama located in Opelika. An original barracks building still stands near the Four Seasons Credit Union at 2300 Marvyn Parkway. Presently, the area once occupied by the camp is the location of Orr Industrial Park, situated south of I-85 on the southern side of Opelika.
A commemorative plaque installed by the Opelika Historic Preservation Society alongside the Historic Chattachoochee Commission is positioned at the intersection of Marvyn Parkway and Williamson Avenue, highlighting:
See also
Further reading
- – Overview of Camp Aliceville’s history, which shares similarities with Camp Opelika.
- – A social historical account featuring interviews with POWs held at Camp Aliceville and other similar camps.