UNION STATION’S WORLD WAR I
CANTEEN
"The name of Kansas City will long be in our memories as
among those who helped to cheer us along our way to ‘Over
There.’"
--Major Curtis Clawson
August 6, 1918
 Put yourself in their shoes. Or, more accurately their Army boots.
So many "Doughboys" were en route to war. They were
waiting for the trains that would eventually lead them to what
could very well be their final destination.
Learn more about the men and women whose journey to World War
I took them through Union Station. Visit the Station’s third
floor. Enjoy the view of the Liberty Memorial and discover the
history behind the effort to build the monument. Check out the
FREE Canteen exhibit and find out why Kansas City made sense as
the location for the Memorial.
It was here at Union Station that thousands upon thousands of
soldiers stopped – for a moment’s peace before the
war.
The American Red Cross, Kansas City War Camp Community Service
and Railroad Detachments Refreshments Committee developed the
Union Station Canteen. More than three quarters of a million servicemen
and servicewomen would be served there, enjoying coffee, candy,
card games, chocolate bars and the charming smiles of the Canteen’s
hostesses.
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