Ogden in Weber County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)
French Boxcar
Ogden Union Station
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 27, 2014
1. French Boxcar Marker
The Merci boxcar was a gesture of gratitude from the people of France to the people of the United States for aid given to France after World War II. In 1949, the Merci Train was sent to the United States. It consisted of 49 ’40 & 8’ boxcars, one of each fo the 48 states and one shared by District of Columbia and the Territory of Hawaii. Utah’s boxcar was presented on February 22, 1949 filled with a variety of items donated by the people of France. Some of the artifacts remain in the care of the Utah Historical Society.
This car was built in 1885 in Lyon, France. The boxcar was restored by the 40 et 8 Grande du Utah, the local chapter of La Société des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux. The project was headed by Byron Lewis with generous grants from George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation and Weber County RAMP.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Peace • Railroads & Streetcars • War, World I • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Merci Train Boxcars series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1854.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ogden Union Depot (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ogden City Wall (about 500 feet away); Major Drug Company (about 800 feet away); Nicholas Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Belmont Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Watkins Grocery and Cranshaw Photography (approx. 0.2 miles away); Harry Jordan’s Cigar Shop (approx. ¼ mile away); Davenport Saloon (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ogden.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Other Merci Boxcars
Also see . . .
1. Merci Train. The Merci Train was a train of 49 French railroad box cars filled with tens of thousands of gifts of gratitude from at least that many individual French citizens. They were showing their appreciation for the more than 700 American box cars of relief goods sent to them by (primarily) individual Americans in 1948. The Merci Train arrived in New York harbor on February 3rd, 1949 and each of the 48 American states at that time
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 27, 2014
2. French Boxcar Marker
The marker is near the flag pole.
2. The Story of the 1949 Merci Train. This site lists numerous links to information about each boxcar. (Submitted on February 24, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
3. Merci Train - Wikipedia. The idea to send a "thank you" gift to the United States for the $40 million in food and other supplies sent to France and Italy in 1947 came from a French railroad worker, and World War II veteran, named Andre Picard. Donations from the Merci Train came from over six million citizens of France and Italy in the form of dolls, statues, clothes, ornamental objects, furniture, and even a Legion of Honour medal purported to have belonged to Napoleon. (Submitted on February 24, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 27, 2014
3. The Merci Boxcar
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 27, 2014
4. The Merci Boxcar
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 24, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,167 times since then and 81 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 24, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
