Camp Atlanta facts for kids
Camp Atlanta (40°23′04″N 99°27′36″W / 40.3845105°N 99.4598699°W) was a special camp built during World War II. It was located right next to the town of Atlanta, Nebraska. This camp was home to German prisoners of war (POWs).
For over three years, nearly 3,000 prisoners lived there. After the war ended, some soldiers and even some former prisoners decided to stay and live in the area.
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Where Was Camp Atlanta Built?
During World War II, Camp Atlanta was set up near Atlanta, Nebraska. It was an Allied camp for German prisoners of war. The U.S. Army chose this spot because it was deep inside the United States. This made it a very safe place for a prison camp.
The camp was designed to hold 3,000 German prisoners. Most of these prisoners had been captured during the fighting in North Africa. They lived in three separate areas, called compounds.
Construction on the camp started in September 1943. The U.S. Army spent about $2 million to build it. At first, local people were told it would be a camp for American conscientious objectors. But by November, everyone knew it would be a camp for German prisoners. About 275 American soldiers and 60 officers worked there as guards.
Life for Prisoners at Camp Atlanta
The first 250 German prisoners arrived in December 1943. No one knew they were coming except the camp commander. Then, in February 1944, 830 more prisoners arrived. This brought the total number of prisoners to 1,080.
Camp Atlanta was like a small town. It had its own train stop right outside the prison gates. Inside, there was a chapel, a theater, and a hospital. There was also a store, a bakery, a laundry, and various repair shops.
The American military men at the camp had a 12-piece drum and bugle corps. They even marched in the Holdrege Memorial Day parade in 1944. The prisoners also had a ball club. They played games against prisoners from the nearby Indianola P.O.W. camp.
Prisoners were allowed to work on local farms. This helped farmers grow more food for the war effort. More than 30 local farmers hired the prisoners. The farmers paid the government for the work the POWs did.
Camp Atlanta Closes Down
After World War II ended, the government started sending the prisoners home. This began early in 1946. Later that year, all the buildings and materials at the camp were sold. Things like plumbing and wooden frames were taken apart and auctioned off.
By 1947, most of the camp was gone. Only concrete slabs and the floors of the barracks remained. However, some interesting things happened after the camp closed. Some of the American soldiers who worked there came back to live in Atlanta. Also, at least two of the German prisoners applied to become U.S. citizens. They also returned to live in the area.
Today, only a few parts of Camp Atlanta are left. You can still see the old water tower and two tall chimneys.
Images for kids
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The American Legion Hall in Oxford, Nebraska was originally part of the post hospital at Camp Atlanta
