Did you know that German prisoners of war during World War II were held just over Mount Prospect’s border with Des Plaines at a place called Camp Pine and that many, if not all of them, worked in the Pesche’s Greenhouses?

Mount Prospect Historical Society Executive Director Gregory Peerbolte will present a program on this little-known chapter of this area’s history at 7:30 p.m., July 16, at the first in a quarterly series of historical programs he is calling “Mount Prospect Stories.”  It will be held in the community room of the Mount Prospect Village Hall, 50 S. Emerson St., and will include light refreshments.

“The event will be free and open to the public,” said Peerbolte. “It is part of our ongoing effort to be an active organization in the community and not only to educate, but to entertain. Through the use of primary sources, photographs and other archival material, the ‘Mount Prospect Stories’ series will be an engaging, yet informative, experience.”

This first program, presented in cooperation with the Des Plaines History Center and the Des Plaines Public Library, promises to be fascinating, thanks to the wide variety of sources available.

“I’ve read some very moving letters from former POWs to area residents following the war,” Peerbolte revealed. “Like any good story, this chapter of Mount Prospect history runs the gamut of human emotions from profound tragedy to light-hearted humor.”

“This will be a great evening for anyone interested in area history, young or old,” he added.

The Society is requesting that attendees R.S.V.P. to 847/392-9006 by Friday, July 12.