Today, Stark, New Hampshire is a charming New Hampshire town that is picture-perfect.
James Walsh/flickr The town that is home to about 500 people is perhaps best known for its beautiful covered bridge.
James Walsh/flickr However, during World War II, Stark was known for a much different reason.
JBTHEMILKER/Pamoramio The town was home to New Hampshire’s only prisoner of war camp, Camp Stark.
WMUR In the camp, hundreds of Germans worked, supplying timber to the mills in the White Mountains. The mills in Berlin were short-staffed because of the war effort.
Marian Post Wolcott/Yale Library During that time, up to 160,000 German prisoners of war were sent all over the United States. The men who came to Stark arrived in Boston by boat, and were transported to New Hampshire.
New England Historical Society Although some say that a few Germans remained in Spark, marrying local women and becoming New Hampshire residents, it is unclear if this was the case. Officially, the United States insisted that all prisoners be repatriated to Germany at the end of the war.
Stephen Bugno/flickr However, the camp left a lasting legacy. In 1986 a reunion was held for townspeople and guards. Five former prisoners also attended.
James Walsh/flickr Today, Stark is left as just an average small New Hampshire town, with an incredibly unique history.
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James Walsh/flickr
The town that is home to about 500 people is perhaps best known for its beautiful covered bridge.
However, during World War II, Stark was known for a much different reason.
JBTHEMILKER/Pamoramio
The town was home to New Hampshire’s only prisoner of war camp, Camp Stark.
WMUR
In the camp, hundreds of Germans worked, supplying timber to the mills in the White Mountains. The mills in Berlin were short-staffed because of the war effort.
Marian Post Wolcott/Yale Library
During that time, up to 160,000 German prisoners of war were sent all over the United States. The men who came to Stark arrived in Boston by boat, and were transported to New Hampshire.
New England Historical Society
Although some say that a few Germans remained in Spark, marrying local women and becoming New Hampshire residents, it is unclear if this was the case. Officially, the United States insisted that all prisoners be repatriated to Germany at the end of the war.
Stephen Bugno/flickr
However, the camp left a lasting legacy. In 1986 a reunion was held for townspeople and guards. Five former prisoners also attended.
Today, Stark is left as just an average small New Hampshire town, with an incredibly unique history.
