This Arkansas POW Camp Tour Will Chill You To The Bone
By Carol Ann Carson|Updated on April 16, 2023(Originally published April 10, 2023)
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Carol Ann Carson
Author
Arkansas native, Carol Ann Carson, has written for OnlyInYourState for three years now. She resides in Western Arkansas' Mountain Frontier but calls NWA home as well. The graduate of University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, Carol Ann earned her B.A. in English and will soon be pursing her M.A. in Library Science. She loves exploring the trails around the Buffalo National River and has yet to find a waterfall that wasn't her favorite.
The Natural State is full of amazing historical sites, each one offering its own unique look at part of Arkansas history. This POW Camp in Arkansas located along the southeastern part of the state is filled with a chilling yet fascinating history. Let’s take a photo tour of these spots frozen in history.
Today's tour will take us to the eastern delta side of the state.
Although they're not the only POW or Internment Camps in the state, these are relatively close enough to make a day trip. We've created a handy map to help get you on your way.
Not much is left of the Bassett POW Camp but it can be seen from U.S. 61. The camp held about 300 German and Italian POWs after the surrender at Wehrmacht. POWs spent most of their time picking cotton for 80¢ a day. The site has an information panel and the original concrete gates.
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Another interesting stop will be at the Stuttgart Army Airfield.
The majority of the airport has been remodeled to serve the general public but during the war the airfield was specifically created to train army air forces. Medium bomber and transport pilots underwent mission drills until 1946. Outlines of the wartime streets and foundations of the military hangars can still be seen. The story here is a really big part of the overall military history in Arkansas.
The best way to learn more about this camp is to visit the nearby World War II Japanese American Internment Museum. This museum in McGehee has exhibits about the Rohwer War Relocation Center as well as the Jerome Relocation Center. Rohwer has a memorial, cemetery, and information panels. Interestingly, the audio narrator for the tour is George Takei. He and his family were forced to live at the camp when he was 5 years old.
Some of the camps have been reclaimed by nature.
University of Arkansas at Monticello, 346 University Dr, Monticello, AR 71656, USA
Tucked away at the Monticello campus of the University of Arkansas resides the remains of the Monticello POW Camp. The camp held an estimated 3,800 Italian POWs and some 1,500 U.S. military personnel at its peak. There are plans to further preserve the area and create a walking tour. You will need to reach out to university officials before poking around the forest but the barracks can be seen while touring the campus or the neighboring Drew County fairgrounds.
After a side trip to Monticello, our tour takes us back to the Jerome-Rohwer area.
Similar to Bassett, not too much remains but the melancholy presence can still be felt. Jerome was the last American relocation camp to be created but also the first to close. The camp held 8,500 Japanese-Americans at its peak in 1943 and later held German POWs in 1944. Today you can see a schoolhouse, smokestack, water tank (with gunshot scars), and foundations in the area.
By no means were these the only places that housed prisoners and detainees during the war.
Some other interesting places of note within Arkansas would be Fort Chaffee in Fort Smith or Camp Robinson in North Little Rock. Although the war was a dark stain on American history, all we can do is continue to work towards preserving, remembering, and learning from these spots.
Have you ever stopped by these historic places before? If so, what did you think? Did the stories chill you to the bone? We’d love for you to share your experience with us in the comments section below!
The Movie House Winery in Morrilton welcomes guests with a tasting bar and gift shop, and features a variety of wine-making classes.
The Tontitown Winery in Springdale is unique in that it is situated in a historic home built in 1917.
Cowie Wine Cellars and Vineyards in Carbon City also offers comfortable bed and breakfast suites for folks who want to make an extended stay out of their visit.
