Opelika POW Camp

Opelika POW Camp was a 3000-man prisoner of war camp on the outskirts of Opelika. Its construction began in September 1942 and it shut down in September 1945.

A historical marker stands at the southwest quadrant of the intersection of Marvyn Parkway and Williamson Avenue. This marker reads:
"Located on this 800 acre site was an enemy prisoner of war camp. Construction of Camp Opelika began in September 1942. The first prisoners, captured by the British, were part of General Erwin Rommel's Africa Corps. The camp prisoner population was maintained around 3000 until the end of World War II, in May 1945. In September 1945 the camp was deactivated and deeded to the City of Opelika. For a brief period the camp quarters were used for veteran's housing before the site became an industrial park."

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