Davenport in Scott County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Marion G. Crandell

1872-1918

By Paul Crumlish, July 9, 2010

1. Marion G. Crandell Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Marion Crandell was the first American woman to die in the war zone during World War I. She was born in Cedar Rapids, but spent several years in France, where she attended the Sorbonne University. In 1916 she came to Davenport as a teacher at St. Katharine’s School. When the war broke out, she offered her services to the YMCA division which aided French soldiers, and arrived in Paris in February 1918. She was killed on March 27 when a German artillery shell struck the building in which she was lodging. She was buried in a French military cemetery.

Erected 1979 by Iowa State Historical Department Division of the State Historical Society and by the Hannah Caldwell Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution. (Marker Number 39.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • War, World I • Women. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Iowa - State Historical Society of Iowa series lists.

Location. 41° 32.812′

Wide view of the Marion G. Crandell Marker image. Click for full size.

By Paul Crumlish, July 9, 2010

2. Wide view of the Marion G. Crandell Marker

N, 90° 33.148′ W. Marker is in Davenport, Iowa, in Scott County. Marker can be reached from Eastern Avenue 0.3 miles west of East Rusholme Street, on the left when traveling west. The marker is located on the private circular drive, off Eastern Avenue, that leads to the main building on the Annie Wittenmyer Complex. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2800 Eastern Avenue, Davenport IA 52803, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. USA T131, 280mm, Heavy Motorized Gun (approx. 2.1 miles away in Illinois); Fort Armstrong (approx. 2.1 miles away in Illinois); USA M102, 105mm, Howitzer (approx. 2.1 miles away in Illinois); 15-Inch Rodman Gun (approx. 2.1 miles away in Illinois); Blackhawk Purchase Treaty Commemorative (approx. 2.3 miles away); Historic Davenport / Interstate 80 Bridge (approx. 4.6 miles away); a different marker also named Historic Davenport / Interstate 80 Bridge (approx. 5.1 miles away); Hero Street, U.S.A. (approx. 7 miles away in Illinois).

Also see . . .
1. New York Times - American Woman Killed; Miss Marion G. Crandell, Canteen Worker, Victim of Shell. (Submitted on July 16, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)
2. Primary Selections from Davenport Public Library Special Collections In Memoriam: Marion G. Crandell. (Submitted on July 16, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)

Marion G. Crandell grave at Meuse-Argonne. image. Click for full size.

By Marijke Taffein, August 1, 2008

3. Marion G. Crandell grave at Meuse-Argonne.

Marion G. Crandall [Crandell]
Sec. Y.M.C.A.
California March, 26, 1918

Credits. This page was last revised on November 19, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,182 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 16, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. 3. submitted on September 22, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Querétaro, Mexico.