Streator in LaSalle County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
A United Homefront
Free Service Canteen
— Streator, Illinois —
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2021
1. A United Homefront Marker
World War II affected every part of American society. Despite the recent Great Depression, the public was very generous and gave all they could to help the US win the war. The massive war effort moved thousands of troops across the country for training and deployment.
Streator, Illinois
Open from November 28, 1943 to May 29, 1946, the Streator Free Canteen served more than one and a half million service people in less than three years using donated food, equipment, and time.
Erected 2006.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Patriots & Patriotism • Railroads & Streetcars • War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is November 8, 1943.
Location. 41° 7.343′ N, 88° 49.473′ W. Marker is in Streator, Illinois, in LaSalle County. Marker is on North Illinois Street just north of East Hickory Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker and monument are located in the parking lot on the
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Edward Plumb (approx. 0.4 miles away); Dedicated to the Soldiers, Sailors, and Patriots of the American Revolutionary War (approx. 0.4 miles away); Streator Civil War Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); World War II (approx. 0.4 miles away); American Heroes Mural (approx. 0.4 miles away); Colonel Ralph Plumb (approx. half a mile away); George "Honey Boy" Evans (approx. half a mile away); Streator Baseball (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Streator.
Also see . . .
1. Streator, Illinois. During World War II the Streator Santa Fe Train Depot was a busy way-station for millions of soldiers and sailors who passed through the town on the way to or from training for the war. Beginning in 1943, the Streator Parents Service Club, a group of parents of veterans of the war, created the Streator Free Canteen. The volunteers handed out sandwiches and coffee and presented a friendly face to the servicemen during their stopover in Streator. On Veterans Day, November 10, 2006 a bronze statue commemorating the "Coffee Pot Ladies" of Streator was dedicated at the Santa Fe Railroad
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2021
2. A United Homefront • Sculpture detail
2. Streator Free Canteen. Word of the Streator Canteen spread quickly during the war, even catching the attention of celebrities like Shirley Temple and Claudette Colbert who visited the canteen. Troops were fed by volunteers who boarded the train or serviced them on the platform, while the train was being serviced. The canteen often served 1,000 troops a day. Everything from sandwiches, donuts, cookies, coffee, milk and soup to cigarettes chewing gum, magazines, papers and letter writing supplies were given free to all service personnel. (Submitted on November 2, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2021
3. A United Homefront Marker
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2021
4. Streator's Santa Fe Depot today
Credits. This page was last revised on May 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 314 times since then and 88 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 2, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
