Camp Thomas A. Scott

Camp Thomas A. Scott was a military installation in Fort Wayne adjacent to Pennsylvania Railroad lines, initially serving to train railway battalions and later functioning as a prisoner of war facility. The grounds contained housing units, training areas, and specialized railroad equipment for military personnel and later for housing prisoners.

The camp was established in 1942 and trained multiple railway battalions for military service through 1944. After converting to a prisoner of war facility, it employed German captives in agricultural and industrial work throughout the surrounding region.

The facility provided prisoners with leisure spaces including a library and film screenings, giving the camp an unusual level of attention to daily well-being. These amenities show how administrators structured routines for those who worked in local industries and farms.

The site is located along Moeller Road between Hessen Cassel and Meyer Road, making it relatively easy to find and approach. It helps to check in advance about access restrictions or visiting hours, as not all buildings may be freely accessible to visitors.

German prisoners earned wages for their work that were deposited into savings accounts they could withdraw upon returning to Germany. This wage system was unusual for prisoner of war camps and allowed captives to return home with personal savings.

GPS coordinates: 41.05750,-85.09657

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:40