Just north of Florence was located a huge prisoner of war camp for German and Italian detainees seized during the North Africa movement and called, “Camp Florence”. This World War II site was built in 1942-43 and is the biggest prisoner of war complex ever built on American land. Thousands of POW’s were held in this 5 acre compound which had a barracks, a hospital, a bakery, a swimming pool, athletic fields, and a few theaters. The men even earned money by performing different tasks within the camp.
Camp Florence had around 13,000 prisoners by December of 1945. In 1946 it was deemed a "surplus" and in 1948 it became a state hospital and incarceration center for first time criminals. They moved most of the POW quarters to Queen Creek, AZ and used them for elementary schoolrooms. Today it stands as a location for the Florence Public Health Service Clinic, serving the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Places like this give me the creepers! :D O_o'
ReplyDeleteFollowing! :)
Fascinating.
ReplyDeleteWow! I had heard about these places, but I never knew where they were. Great Post!
ReplyDeleteThese POW stories were very interesting.
ReplyDeleteThat always drives me nuts in museums--you see me pressing my haneds to the glass, wanting to touch the objects sooooo much!
ReplyDeleteNever knew of it's existence, thanks for that.
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