Prisoners of war in Iowa are topic of EV History Center program

Linda Betsinger McCann will present a program on prisoners of war in Iowa, based on her published book by the same title, at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27, at the English Valleys History Center, 108 Main St., North English.

There were about 25,000 German, Italian and Japanese prisoners of war in Iowa from 1942 to 1946. There were two main camps, Algona and Clarinda, which housed about 3,000 POWs each. There were 19 branch camps in the state where the prisoners worked in farm fields, at detasseling corn, or canning vegetables. The POWs returned to their home countries after the war, but many Iowans stayed in contact with the prisoners, and the prisoners later visited Iowa. McCann has been able to speak to many of them.

McCann is a native Iowan who has always loved learning about Iowa history. She began sharing some of her information with her grandchildren, who were completely shocked by what they heard. A few field trips, and the grands were hooked. A publisher approached her about publishing her books, and the “rest is history.”

She currently has had 14 non-fiction Iowa history books published. Her newest book, which is to be out this fall, is “Rosie the Riveters of Iowa.” Her other titles include “Prohibition in Iowa,” several books about the Civilian Conservation Corps in different areas of Iowa; and “The Vanished Towns of the Cedar Valley” series. She will have copies of all her books for sale. They are $20 each, and she can only take cash or checks.

All are invited to attend this event at no charge. Donations are accepted.