Red Rock Historical Society Launches WWII POW Camp Archive Online

The Red Rock Historical Society is set to digitize and share the history of a World War II prisoner of war camp, known as Camp R, following a grant of $60,000 from Parks Canada. This initiative aims to preserve and make accessible important historical artifacts related to the camp, which operated from July 1940 to October 1941 in Red Rock, Ontario.

Brian Davis, president of the Red Rock Historical Society, expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating, “As you can imagine, it means everything. Very, very exciting.” The focus will primarily be on photographs and documents from the 1920s through the 1940s, highlighting the unique history of Camp R.

According to Davis, the society’s collection includes a wide range of artifacts donated by local residents. “People have been looking forward to this, and we’ve been very excited about this right since the get-go,” he noted. The society aims to share the rich history of Red Rock, including its connection to the pulp and paper industry.

Significance of Camp R in Local History

Camp R served as an internment camp during its operational period, housing civilian internees and enemy merchant seamen. Davis explained that Red Rock was chosen due to the availability of empty construction camps, left vacant when the local mill went bankrupt. “The construction camps were built for the workers that were building the original pulp and paper mill in Red Rock, and then when the war broke out, they were looking for places to house German POWs,” he said.

During this period, the iconic Red Rock Inn was a hub for camp officers and guards. “It had been built, and many of the officers and guards stayed at the Red Rock Inn,” Davis added. The camp closed in 1941 due to alleged water quality issues, leading to the transfer of all internees to various camps in southern Ontario.

Other notable POW sites in Northwestern Ontario include Camp 100 (W) in Neys and Camp 101 (X) in Angler, as documented on the website POWsincanada.ca.

Funding and Future Plans

The grant from Parks Canada, awarded through the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area, is distributed in two installments. The first installment funded the hiring of an intern to assist with digitization efforts. Upon successful completion of initial objectives, the society became eligible for the second installment, which will support another intern to continue the digitization process.

Davis emphasized that the online collection will be accessible once all documents are uploaded, a process expected to take several months. Local residents interested in learning more about the digitization project, purchasing a membership, or volunteering can find additional information on the Red Rock Historical Society’s Facebook page.

This initiative not only honors the legacy of Camp R but also aims to engage the community in preserving and understanding their local history.