Online Exhibits – The North Platte Canteen
The North Platte Canteen was a volunteer effort in epic proportions. It brought people from 125 different communities together to serve 6 million troops during World War II. Brought to you by the Lincoln County Historical Museum, this online museum exhibit highlights this effort.
Click on a title below to read the full story!
1. The Story Begins
The North Platte Canteen was one of the largest volunteer efforts of World War II. It began on December 17, 1941 when the families and friends of the local Nebraska National Guard unit (Company D) came to the North Platte Depot to give them their Christmas presents.
2. Running the Canteen
The North Platte Canteen met its first troop train on December 25, 1941. Baskets of goodies were prepared across the street from the depot at the Cody Hotel. When it arrived, the troops had to stay on the train for security reasons, so the women handed…
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3. Volunteering at the Canteen
As the demands of the war grew so did the sacrifices of the American people. Rationing and price controls of basic items were instituted and managed by the Office of Price Administration. Citizens were given ration books that included stamps that allowed you to buy limited…
5. The Story Ends
The war ended in August 1945. Just like in the rest of the country, celebration overtook the canteen. However, soldiers were continuing to come through North Platte and the canteen volunteers were right there to meet them.
4.“Exporting Morale”
These volunteers baked and fried countless amounts of food. In one month in 1945, there was an effort to count exactly how much was being distributed.
