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,

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81° 45.322′ W. Marker is in Parma, Ohio, in Cuyahoga County. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Cleveland,

on the Lake Erie Shore,

and in the Western Reserve.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Capitol Flag (a few steps from this marker); The Worlds Children Peace Monument German American Peace Initiative (within shouting distance of this marker); Neuschwanstein Castle (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles

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.

away); M-4 Sherman Medium Tank 1944 (approx. 0.4 miles away); POW-MIA Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Crile Hospital (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Stearns Homestead (approx. 1.9 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. 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..

Photographed by Craig Doda, March 7, 2026

7. German Central Organization Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 8, 2009, by Lora Szloh of Berea, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,020 times since then and 49 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. 7. submitted on March 22, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide area picture of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?