Lamont Prisoner of War Camp


Historic California Posts, Camps, Stations and Airfields
Lamont Prisoner of War Camp
(Camp Lamont, Lamont Prisoner of War Branch Camp)


German Prisoners of War working on a Bakersfield cotton farm.


The former Lamont Prisoner of War (PW) Camp is located near the City of Lamont in Kern County, California, 9 miles southeast of Bakersfield. On December 2, 1944, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) transferred 16 acres of public land to the War Department by a Memorandum of Agreement. The period of Army interest began on December 1, 1944, and terminated on July 31, 1946.

The Lamont PW Camp was operated by the U.S. Army for the purpose of housing prisoners of war. The improvements existing prior to the Army's use included several housing units, utility buildings, a mess hall, fences, and gates. The Army's additional improvements included 4 guard towers, 16 flood lights, a lean-to attached to the mess hall, a switch box, fencing, and counters and shelves.

The camp held over 900 German and Japanese PWs who worked in cotton fields and other farms around Bakersfield. Various historical documents show that this may have at one time been a branch camp of the Camp Cooke PW Camp. The camp also operated the following Prisoner of War Branch Camps near Corcoran:

Boswell Ranch, Corcoran, Kings County, 499 prisoners, Agricultural. Activated 1 December 1944, Inactivated 5 October 1945
Corcoran/Lakelands, San Joaquin County, 631 prisoners, Agricultural. Activated 14 May 1945, Inactivated 5 October 1945

On April 24, 1946, Army declared the Lamont PW Camp as surplus and authorized the 16 acres for retransfer to the USDA. The Supplemental Agreement terminated Army's possession of the premises on July 31, 1946, and custody was assumed by USDA on August 1,1946. Compensation from War Department included transfer of the additional Army improvements and a cash payment of $3,500.00 to USDA. No restoration provisions were made and the Supplemental Agreement released Army from any further actions, liabilities, or claims.
The property is now privately owned. Army and USDA improvements existing at the time of disposal were in good condition; however, these improvements no longer exist on-site. The property is currently used for agricultural purposes and includes a residence and a corner market.
US Army Center of Military History Historical Data Card - Post Camp, Station and Airfield




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