Parma in Cuyahoga County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

German Central Organization

Photographed By Lora Szloh, November 8, 2009

1. German Central Organization Marker

Inscription. Founded in 1924 and incorporated in 1925, the German Central Organization was established to serve all people of German descent and was the central meeting place for immigrants of various ethnic groups following both world wars. During the difficult years of the Great Depression, the German Central Organization distributed money to needy German-Americans and helped thousands to find jobs by providing free employment service. Anti-German sentiment during World War II culminated in a vandal attack on the German Central Organization farm in 1942. Despite damage to the property and decreased membership, the German Central Organization rebounded and remains a solid pillar of the community.

Erected 2003 by the Ohio Bicentennial Commission and the Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 69-18.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Settlements & Settlers • War, World I • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.

Location. 41° 21.175′ N, 81° 45.322′ W. Marker is in Parma, Ohio, in Cuyahoga County

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. Marker can be reached from the intersection of York Road and Barron Drive. In the parking lot of the German Central Organization. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7863 York Rd, Cleveland OH 44130, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Crile Hospital (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Stearns Homestead (approx. 1.9 miles away); First Brick Rural Road in United States (approx. 2.7 miles away); George Washington (approx. 2.8 miles away); Hampson Post No. 499 G.A.R. Civil War Memorial (approx. 3 miles away); John Shepherd - An American Hero (approx. 3 miles away); Woodvale Union Cemetery (approx. 3.7 miles away); Old District 10 Schoolhouse (approx. 4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Parma.

More about this marker. You can't see it from the street. There is a really long driveway and through a parking lot. There are entrance gates and just through them is the marker on a central island.

Regarding German Central Organization. The German Central Organization runs yearly Octoberfests and fish fry Friday's constantly. They also rent out the patio and various buildings for dinners and banquets like weddings so one should show courtesy and not walk on grass and use paths provided to see marker and additional memorial garden.

Additional keywords.

September 26, 1965 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lora Szloh, November 8, 2009

2. September 26, 1965

The capitol flag heretofore flown over the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. was this day here raised over and given into the hands of this German Central Organization for it's use and care, on behalf of all of the German American People of greater Cleveland.

Ethnic Groups German club Acts of terrorism

One of the buildings just to the right of marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lora Szloh, November 8, 2009

3. One of the buildings just to the right of marker.

There are several buildings, but if you're coming for a fish fry, the basement of this one has the long line leading all the way down the driveway.

Photographed By Lora Szloh, November 8, 2009

4. The gate

Their sign at the gate. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lora Szloh, November 8, 2009

5. Their sign at the gate.

Patio just to the left of marker.. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lora Szloh, November 8, 2009

6. Patio just to the left of marker..

Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 8, 2009, by Lora Szloh of Berea, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,577 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 8, 2009, by Lora Szloh of Berea, Ohio. 2. submitted on November 9, 2009, by Lora Szloh of Berea, Ohio. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 10, 2009, by Lora Szloh of Berea, Ohio. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.

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