Galva in Henry County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Scrap Drive of 1942

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2021

1. The Scrap Drive of 1942 Marker

Inscription.
Around 1942, America finally entered World War II with the “Brits” as an ally against Nazi Germany in Europe and America against Japan as a result of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Because large amounts of the various materials like metal, paper, rubber, silk, nylon and even fat were needed for the war effort; the whole country eventually participated in the collecting and/or the recycling of same. This sacrifice was very difficult as the country just came out of a depression a few years earlier and the newer generation had never experienced sacrifice on that scale before.

Much of the credit goes to the Boy and Girl Scouts as they were instrumental in rounding up the local donations that were eventually cashed in and war bonds purchased and/or putting items onto scrap trains.

Perhaps a good example of how intense “the not knowing the outcome of the war” was, Galva gave up its military artillery collection for scrap. Included were a British plus a German 155mm Howitzer, an 8" Russian Howitzer and the German Trench Mortar.

The war ended in 1945 with America as one of the victors and in 1953, the Department of War was contacted

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by the local American legion commander and a request was made to replace the scrapped howitzers. The army did come through as requested and the American-made howitzers are on display at the local downtown park, the Galva and Bishop Hill cemetery plus the Galva armory.

The Galva scrap metal drive ended in October 1942 with 120 tons collected.

The citizens of the United States were reluctant to save at first but a “Frenzy” to get involved in the war effort became popular especially after the defeat of the Nazis in Africa. Throughout the country, many looked back on what irreplaceable items were sacrificed and later regretted. Even the cannon in Bishop Hill was scrapped.

[image captions]
• WPB — United States War Production Board
• Answer Honestly
“Are YOU doing everything within your power today to put more weapons into the hands of our fighting men?”
“There must be SWEAT and ACTION on the Production line to match the BLOOD and ACTION on the battleline.”
“The men of the PRODUCTION LINE dare not do less than the men of THE BATTLELINE.”
Donald M. Nelson, Chairman of the War Production Board
• This is the 1901 fountain in North Central Park

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2021

2. The Scrap Drive of 1942 Marker

Looking southwest through Veterans Memorial Park. Exchange Street is in the background.

— now Veterans Park. This fountain finally wore out in 1943 and was dismantled and scrapped for the metal.
• This is an American-made WWII Howitzer in Veterans Park. This howitzer came into Galva painted silver and was repainted Army green.
• This is the QR code for the War Bond speech video by President Roosevelt (use your bar scanner if you have access to the internet on your smart phone).
• If people that wanted to contribute money but only had change, they could buy inexpensive stamps and place them into books. Various denominations were accepted as shown: 5$, 25¢ and 10¢.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Patriots & Patriotism • War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1942.

Location. 41° 9.958′ N, 90° 2.736′ W. Marker is in Galva, Illinois, in Henry County. It is on Front Street just east of Exchange Street, on the right when traveling east. The marker is beside the walkway near the west side of Veterans Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 338 Front Street, Galva IL 61434, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

Veterans Memorial Park Fountain image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2021

3. Veterans Memorial Park Fountain

Today's concrete fountain was installed sometime after 1943 to replace the original that was scrapped for the war effort.

this marker is in Northern Illinois.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: To the Sons of this Community Who Gave Their Future to Preserve Our Heritage (a few steps from this marker); Our Gävlebocken (within shouting distance of this marker); Galva Opera House/Temperance Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Olof Krans (within shouting distance of this marker); George Helgesen Fitch (within shouting distance of this marker); Hayes Pump and Planter Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Sgt. Schuyler Brent Patch (within shouting distance of this marker); Wistrand Manufacturing Co. and the Blue Star line (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Galva.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 21, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 22, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.