Historical Marker

Camp Albuquerque

Camp Roswell transferred German POWs to a former CCC camp in Albuquerque for farm labor. City leader Clyde Tingley, who decried them as “murderous Nazis” was horrified and wanted them removed from the city limits. Tingley approached feedlot owner Joe Schwartzman who donated part of his land to relocate the camp. Its foundations can be seen today. Captured in North Africa as part of the renowned Afrika Korp, the prisoners became valued workers who helped Rio Grande Valley farmers feed the state and nation.