Papago Park in Scottsdale is home to some incredibly unique geological structures, and nothing suggests the site has ever been anything besides a natural wonder. That couldn’t be further from the truth, however, as the popular outdoor attraction is the site of a former WWII prisoner-of-war camp. With a massive escape and several deaths, Camp Papago Park left quite a dark stain on history.
Thousands of visitors flock to Papago Park annually; many are unaware of its dark history.
Flickr/Jack Ketcham During WWII, the popular outdoor recreation area served as a German prisoner-of-war camp.
One of about 500 POW camps in the nation, Camp Papago Park housed about 3100 prisoners.
Wikipedia/Unknown Most of the captured were part of the Kriegsmarine, or the navy of Navi Germany.
On the outside, the camp looked similar to any other.
Flickr/Oleg Afonin It was actually quite different, however, as prisoners were not required to work or study (although many chose to as a result of boredom).
The largest Axis prisoner-of-war escape from an American facility during the war occurred here.
Wikipedia/United States Army In late 1944, a group of men dug an underground tunnel leading south towards the Salt River, which they successfully used to flee their imprisonment.
Captain Jürgen Wattenberg, the highest-ranking German prisoner at the camp, began organizing the escape almost immediately upon his capture. Other escapees, including Captain Lieutenant Friedrich Guggenberger (pictured here), were located shortly after – some having made it within 30 miles of the Mexican border!
Wikipedia/Schwarz via Bundesarchiv Some of the inmates anticipated severe punishment, however their only repercussion was bread and water rations for the length of time they were missing. Unrelated death did occur at the camp, when Werner Max Herschel Drechsler was murdered by fellow inmates for disclosing German secrets to U.S. Navy authorities. Seven men implicated in the crime were subsequently executed.
Today, no evidence of Camp Papago Park remains.
Flickr/John Fowler The site is used as base for the Arizona National Guard.
Located on the base is the Arizona Military Museum, a free attraction that works to preserve and encourage appreciation for the state’s military history.
TripAdvisor/Oliver S. The building itself is a relic, first serving as a National Guard arsenal before it was converted into maintenance shop for German POWs.
Exhibits depict various aspects of Arizona military history, ranging from the Spanish Conquistadors to Navajo Code Talkers, guns to missle launchers, and even a single engine “Huey” helicopter of the U.S. Army.
TripAdvisor/Oliver S. There’s an entire display dedicated to Camp Papago Park, as well.
The Arizona Military Museum is open from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. on weekends. It is most likely closed right now due to COVID-19, so call or email before visiting. Click here for the website.
Flickr/Jack Ketcham
During WWII, the popular outdoor recreation area served as a German prisoner-of-war camp.
Wikipedia/Unknown
Most of the captured were part of the Kriegsmarine, or the navy of Navi Germany.
Flickr/Oleg Afonin
It was actually quite different, however, as prisoners were not required to work or study (although many chose to as a result of boredom).
Wikipedia/United States Army
In late 1944, a group of men dug an underground tunnel leading south towards the Salt River, which they successfully used to flee their imprisonment.
Wikipedia/Schwarz via Bundesarchiv
Some of the inmates anticipated severe punishment, however their only repercussion was bread and water rations for the length of time they were missing. Unrelated death did occur at the camp, when Werner Max Herschel Drechsler was murdered by fellow inmates for disclosing German secrets to U.S. Navy authorities. Seven men implicated in the crime were subsequently executed.
Flickr/John Fowler
The site is used as base for the Arizona National Guard.
TripAdvisor/Oliver S.
The building itself is a relic, first serving as a National Guard arsenal before it was converted into maintenance shop for German POWs.
There’s an entire display dedicated to Camp Papago Park, as well.
Did you know about Camp Papago Park? Have you ever visited the museum? Let us know your thoughts, and head over to our previous article for more about WWII in Arizona: Most People Have Never Seen These 12 Photos Taken During World War II In Arizona.
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Address: Papago Park Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USAAddress: 5636 E McDowell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA
