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Alva, Oklahoma

A World War II POW Camp was located just south of Alva in the 1940s. More than 5,000 prisoners were interned at a time when the population of Alva itself was only 3,500.

Items retained from the camp are on display in the Cherokee Strip Museum including a remarkable sculpture of an eagle that was hand carved by German Prisoners of War while at the camp.POW Sculpture

In nearby Waynoka, in the southern part of Woods County, German POWs were also interned in a church basement. In the 1980s a cache of paintings was discovered in the walls of the church. The paintings now hang in the Congregational Church Museum.

Attractions and Upcoming Events

World War II POW Camp

A World War II POW Camp was located just south of Alva in the 1940s. More than 5,000 prisoners were interned at a time when the population of Alva itself was only 3,500.

Alva, OK Military History

Northwestern Oklahoma State Museum

Northwestern Oklahoma State University Museum houses one of the top taxidermic bird collections in the United States and also has natural history exhibits, fossils, and Indian artifacts.

Alva, OK Museums

Cherokee Strip Museum

In 1975 the Cherokee Strip Museum Association acquired the former Alva City Hospital building with its 40 rooms to house one of Oklahoma's best collections of pioneer exhibits. Several of the rooms are set up to display specific period artifacts. * Gun Room * Hat Room * Drug Store *

Alva, OK Museums

Historic Churches

The Alva Friends Church was established in 1901 and located at this spot in 1919 as Alva's first Church. The Fire Bell was Fire Bellplaced in this church in Wichita, Kansas, in 1893, and was moved to Alva, Oklahoma, in 1895.

Alva, OK Historic Churches

Centennial Marker

The Alva Centennial Marker ( 1893 - 1993) is "dedicated to the Cherokee Outlet's pioneers whose sacrifices made the prairie bloom and provided the descendants with a proud heritage."

Alva, OK Historical Markers

Things to do near Alva, OK

Sibley Marker

Major George C. Sibley, Indain agent from Fort Osage, Missouri, was the first white man to view the Salt Flats. He led an exp...

Cactus Botanical Garden

The North Central Oklahoma Cactus Botanical Garden has 1500-plus varieties of exotic cacti and succulents in 2 locations; gif...