Salina City has been named a 2017 Preservation Utah Heritage Award winner for its restoration of the Civilian Conservation Corps and Prisoner of War Camp. The project to restore the camp’s three buildings including commander’s quarters, a bunk house and a motor pool and repair shop was completed in early November 2016.

“We are absolutely thrilled and honored to receive this award,” project coordinator and fundraising director Tami Olsen said, “It will bring wonderful recognition for the community and city of Salina.”

Originally built to house CCC employees, the camp gained notoriety years later during World War II when it was being used to as a POW camp for 250 German prisoners. On July 8, 1945, two months after the war ended in Europe, Private Clarence Bertucci, a guard stationed at the camp, opened fire with a .30-caliber machine gun on 43 tents where the POWs were sleeping.

In just 15 seconds Bertucci peppered the barracks with 250 rounds because, he later said, he “just didn’t like Germans.” He killed six POWs and injured 23, three of whom later died at Salina’s hospital. Bertucci was later declared insane and sent to a mental hospital.

Last year, a local group restored the buildings from glorified storage sheds into near-original condition. A broad range of individuals and groups helped finance the $103,000 project, including the Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area.

The award was presented to Salina Mayor Dustin Deaton Thursday, April 6, at Preservation Utah’s annual meeting and award ceremony at the Falls Event Center, Trolley Square, Salt Lake City.

The restored CCC/POW camp in Salina, Utah, will now serve as a museum. Beginning April 18, hours will be Tuesday-Friday 4-6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Group tours or special arrangements may be made by calling Salina City.