The camp had its own newspaper where the prison expressed their literary gifts through poetry, short stories, essays, puzzles, and cartoons.
One of the amazing features were the camp colleges where the students studied a wide variety of subjects, including mathematics, science, history, vocational courses and preparatory courses for those who would seek postwar careers in medicine, engineering, law, and architecture. Initially, the courses were taught by the prisoners but later they were permitted to enroll in correspondent courses at the University of Michigan and University of Wisconsin. The prisoners seized these educational opportunities and of the 3,000 POW 1,400 took advantage of these camp colleges. Army officials even contacted the University of Alabama and Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University) but after careful consultation, it was decided not to mix prisoners of war with college students.
The camp was disbanded after World War II and for a brief period was used for veteran housing and then an industrial park.
FACT NO. 4
LEE COUNTY RESIDENTS ARE THE SMARTEST IN THE STATE AND 4TH IN THE NATION
In 2014, New Geography ranked the “100th Smartest Cities” in the US and the Auburn-Opelika MSA was ranked the smartest city in Alabama and the fourth smartest city in America. It starts early with a rigorous innovative curriculum at childhood development centers and culminates at Auburn University, one of the best and largest universities in the South.
FACT NO. 5
EIGHTY-TWO ACRES IN LEE COUNTY CAN BE YOURS!
the stephanie report