North Platte in Lincoln County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Union Pacific Depot
North Platte, Nebraska
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 4, 2021
1. Union Pacific Depot Marker
North Platte, NE. Union Pacific Depot
3-20-1918 to 11-1-1973
Home of WWII Canteen
12-25-1941 to 4-1-1946
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 December 25, 1941.
Location. 41° 9.642′ N, 100° 47.41′ W. Marker is in North Platte, Nebraska, in Lincoln County. Marker can be reached from North Buffalo Bill Avenue, 0.8 miles north of Lincoln Highway (U.S. 30), on the right when traveling north. Marker is located on the Lincoln County Historical Museum grounds, in front of the restored Brady Island Union Pacific Depot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2403 North Buffalo Bill Avenue, North Platte NE 69101, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Brady Island Depot (here, next to this marker); U. P. Caboose #25486 (a few steps from this marker); Pawnee Indian Garden (a few steps from this marker); Jeffers Family Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Ericsson House (within shouting distance of this marker); Blacksmith Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); General Store
this page online
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Lincoln County Historical Museum
Also see . . .
1. North Platte Canteen.
The North Platte Canteen (also known as the Service Men's Canteen in the Union Pacific Railroad station at North Platte) was a railroad stop served by local citizens of North Platte, Nebraska. Located along the tracks of the Union Pacific Railroad, its purpose was to provide refreshments and hospitality to soldiers who were traveling through the area on the way to war during their ten- to fifteen-minute stopovers. During its run, nearly 55,000 Nebraska women served almost seven million soldiers on their way to fight in World War II.(Submitted on February 12, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. The North Platte Canteen.
The North Platte Canteen was one of the largest volunteer efforts of World War II. It began on December 17, 1941 when the families and friends of the local Nebraska National Guard unit (Company D) came to the North Platte Depot(Submitted on February 12, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)to give them their Christmas presents. Rae Wilson, a local store clerk, wrote into the North Platte Daily Bulletin newspaper the next day to raise support for a canteen that would meet every troop train stopping in North Platte. She figured, if the North Platte Red Cross ladies could run a canteen during World War I, it could be done again. Little did she know how big the effort would become.Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 4, 20212. Union Pacific Depot Marker & Shield
3. The North Platte Canteen.
The North Platte Canteen existed partly because of the steam locomotive. In the years before Union Pacific switched to using diesel-electric power for its trains, North Platte was a servicing point for the steamers that pulled the passenger trains. A North Platte service stop generally took about ten minutes as UP employees scurried to re-lubricate the locomotive’s large driving wheels and refill its water tender (tank). These tasks allowed those servicemen or women riding the trains to detrain and visit the canteen. (If they were not permitted to detrain, volunteers passed gift baskets through the windows and down the car aisles.)(Submitted on February 12, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 4, 2021
3. Union Pacific Depot Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 12, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 308 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 12, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
