Lima in Allen County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Servicemen's Free Canteen
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 9, 2009
1. Servicemen's Free Canteen Marker
Inscription.
Servicemen's Free Canteen. . The Lima Chapter of the American Women's Voluntary Services Organization established a community-based, free canteen during World War II for troops traveling on the Pennsylvania Railroad and adjacent Baltimore and Ohio-Nickel Plate Railroads. Meeting as many as forty trains a day, the ladies served 2.5 million troops between 1942-1945. Food, coffee, and other items were donated to the canteen from a twelve county area. The "AWVS" disbanded in 1945, but succeeding volunteers continued to provide service throughout the Korean Conflict and Viet Nam War. Lima's "Servicemen's Free Canteen" was the longest, continuously operated service canteen in the United States. An estimated four million soldiers, sailors, and marines were served between 1942-1970.
The Lima Chapter of the American Women's Voluntary Services Organization established a community-based, free canteen during World War II for troops traveling on the Pennsylvania Railroad and adjacent Baltimore & Ohio-Nickel Plate Railroads. Meeting as many as forty trains a day, the ladies served 2.5 million troops between 1942-1945. Food, coffee, and other items were donated to the canteen from a twelve county area. The "AWVS" disbanded in 1945, but succeeding volunteers continued to provide service throughout the Korean Conflict and Viet Nam War. Lima's "Servicemen's Free Canteen" was the longest, continuously operated service canteen in the United States. An estimated four million soldiers, sailors, and marines were served between 1942-1970.
Erected 2007 by Allen County Historical Society, Lima Community Foundation, City of Lima Utilities Department, Downtown Lima, Inc., and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 6-2.)
40° 44.691′ N, 84° 6.14′ W. Marker is in Lima, Ohio, in Allen County. Marker is on Central Avenue, in the median. Marker is adjacent to the west facade of the former Pennsylvania Railroad passenger station. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 424 N Central Avenue, Lima OH 45801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Servicemen's Free Canteen Marker at PRR Passenger Station
Looking east.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 3, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,780 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on October 3, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
