Construction of Camp Opelika began in September 1942 on an 800 acre site as an enemy prisoner of war camp. The first prisoners, captured by the British, were part of General Erwin Rommel’s Africa Corps. The camp prisoner population was maintained at about 3000 until the end of World War II, in May 1945. In September 1945, the camp was deactivated and deeded to the City of Opelika. For a brief period the camp quarters were used for veteran’s housing before the site became an industrial park.