Bellefontaine in Logan County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Free Servicemen's Canteen, 1942-1946

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 25, 2011

1. Free Servicemen's Canteen, 1942-1946 Marker

Inscription. Representative of the patriotic spirit of the homefront during World War II, the Big Four Route Veterans Association Women's Auxiliary No. 3 operated a free canteen service for troops in a small white building on the platform of the New York Central Railroad. Staffed and funded entirely by volunteers, donations came from ten counties. The 170 volunteer ladies met servicemen with welcoming words, thousands of sandwiches, desserts, fruits, drinks, and cigarettes, despite federal government rationing restrictions. Approximately 702,779 soldiers, sailors, and marines were fed on their trips to and from the European and Pacific theaters of war. This was one of the few known canteens known to serve all nationalities and races. Margaret Clingerman, who started the canteen, influenced the establishment of six other canteens in Ohio.

Erected 2007 by Logan County Historical Society and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 9-46.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list.

Location. 40° 21.679′ N, 83° 45.824′ W. Marker

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is in Bellefontaine, Ohio, in Logan County. Marker is at the intersection of West Columbus Avenue and South Elm Street when traveling east on West Columbus Avenue. This historical marker is located on the east side of a railroad crossing on Columbus Avenue, near the intersection of Columbus Avenue, Garfield Avenue and Elm Street, on the western edge of Bellefontaine's downtown business district. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bellefontaine OH 43311, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Railroad in Logan County (within shouting distance of this marker); H.M. Annat Dry Goods & Montgomery Ward Store (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Cozy Picture Palace (about 500 feet away); The Gorges Building (about 600 feet away); The Kauffman Block (about 700 feet away); The Historic Post Office of Bellefontaine (about 700 feet away); Signing Friendship Pact (about 700 feet away); General Robert Patterson Kennedy (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bellefontaine.

Also see . . . A Brief History - - and - - Old Photos::. Courtesy: canteenbooks.com (Submitted on June 29, 2011, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 25, 2011

2. Free Servicemen's Canteen, 1942-1946 Marker

View looking south of the historical marker situated along side the railroad tracks running through Bellefontaine.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 25, 2011

3. Free Servicemen's Canteen, 1942-1946 Marker

View of the historical marker looking east along Columbus Avenue.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 25, 2011

4. Free Servicemen's Canteen, 1942-1946 Marker

View of the historical marker looking west along Columbus Avenue, with the railroad crossing in the background.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 25, 2011

5. Free Servicemen's Canteen, 1942-1946 Marker

View from across the street and from across the railroad tracks of the historical marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2011, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 590 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 28, 2011, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.