Servicemen’s Free Canteen Ohio Historical Marker
As my mom and I continued our journey through Lima Ohio in search of more Quilt Store shopping for the All Ohio Shop Hop, we visited another Ohio Historical Marker, the Servicemen’s Free Canteen located in Allen County. With the historical markers just a few minute drive apart, we were able to explore the history of the city before heading to our next Quilt Shop. To read about The Interurban Era Historical Marker (219 E Market Street Lima, Ohio) and our visit, click here.
Lima Ohio is about a two-hour drive from Columbus; and has been known for the Locomotives it produced. Both Ohio Power Shovel Company and the Lima Locomotive Works Inc. were also important for Lima’s economy.
During World War II, the Lima {Ohio} Chapter of America Women Voluntary Service Organization (AWVS) created a free community based canteen for troops travelling on the Pennsylvania Railroad. With upwards of 40 trains a day passing through, these ladies served food, coffee and other donated items to 2.5 million troops between 1942 and 1945. Even though the AWVS disband in 1945, the volunteers continued to provide services throughout the Korean and Viet Nam Wars. Being Servicemen’s Free Canteen was the longest continuous operated service canteen, roughly 4 million solders, sailors and marines were served between 1942 and 1970. Today, the building is home to the Lima Utilities Department.
It is always fun and interesting to read and see all the Remarkable Ohio History. To learn about all 1447 Remarkable Ohio Historical Marker sites, click here.
So, whether you are a huge Ohio history buff or just want to learn more about our great state, be sure to stop and read the Remarkable Ohio Historical Markers as you pass by when traveling.
