Camp 30 // Urban Exploration
Camp 30 was a POW camp from World War 2 located in Bowmanville, Ontario, where it used to house German soldiers. Though designated a National Historic Site in 2013, the grounds have been left to their own devices – now far past being saved.
Originally built as a school for boys in 1927, it remained as such until 1941 when the government told the school to relocate as it was to be turned into a prisoner of war camp. No longer on the property, the government added a large barbed wire fence and 9 guard towers around the property. Though it was meant to house opposing soldiers, many said the accommodations were luxurious and that they were better treated than the Canadian citizens living in the area. Some even say that if it hadn’t been for the fencing, it resembled more of a hotel than a prison.
After the war the location was turned back into a school for boys until 1979 where it was then repurposed for a variety of academic purposes, including a Catholic school and, most recently, a private Islamic university.
The camp used to stand near Camp X, a spy camp that was located in nearby Whitby, Ontario. Though now it stands derelict, there are plans to try to restore some of the more important buildings to commemorate this heritage site.
