Visitors

Camp Hearne

Imagine walking on the same ground as World War II German soldiers. That ground is here… in Texas!

Camp Hearne was a World War II Prisoner-of-War Camp located north of Hearne, Texas on Highway 485 West. After the 1942 to 1943 U.S. troop build-up and successes in North Africa and Italy, the ships carrying our soldiers to the European theater returned to the U.S. with a different cargo… Axis' prisoners of war (POWs).

Due to its flat terrain, distance from the coastline, railroad access, sparse population, and local need for farm laborers, Hearne was chosen to house over 4,800 of these prisoners in its POW base camp.

Today's historic campsite has many building foundations that outline the camp's original "footprint" as well as remnants of various prisoner-built amenities. An exhibit depicting the daily life of the Camp's mostly German prisoners may be viewed in a reconstructed U.S. Army barrack at the site - Fairground Road and Farm to Market (FM) 485. Camp Hearne is a truly unique window into our more recent past. Visit the Camp Hearne website for more information.

The Hearne Depot

Hearne’s beautifully restored turn-of-the-century, arrow-shaped depot features antique furnishings and exhibits containing many local history items (including over 200 historic Hearne photos) as well as railroad memorabilia. Several wax figurines commemorate local railroad employees from days gone by. Recently opened and getting rave reviews, this new visitor information center is attracting a wide variety of history buffs and curiosity seekers who wish to see how this venerable old building looks inside. Visit the Hearne Depot website for more information.