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 Site of Palestine Service Men's Club, World War II
N 31° 45.711 W 095° 38.058
15R E 250495 N 3517059
Texas Historical Marker in the 300 block of W Spring St, Palestine, TX, providing some background on the "support the troops" movement that happened here during World War II.
Waymark Code: WM11JZY
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 11/03/2019
Views: 10
The O'Neil Hotel referenced on the marker was razed in 1983.
Marker Number: 13656
Marker Text:
Since 1872, the railroad has been a defining aspect of Palestine. During World War II, with the town more than a hundred miles from the nearest military installation, the railroad gave local citizens the opportunity to show their support to trainloads of soldiers passing through the city.
In June 1942, area residents organized a service group inspired by, but independent from, the United Service Organizations (USO). Zula Hanks oversaw the fundraising, chaperoning and management of the club, operated by scores of local women. Volunteers offered refreshments, letter-writing materials, music, dancing and conversation in the club's room at the O'Neil Hotel at this site across Spring Street from the railroad tracks. The women also took sandwiches and cookies to distribute to the soldiers unable to leave the trains. Additionally, the Palestine group financially supported a separate Negro Service Club that served African American troops who often rode at the back of the trains farther down the line from this point.
Military service people from around the country voiced their gratitude for Palestine's hospitality through recorded messages on "Recordgrams" and in countless letters. The volunteers continued their outpouring of support through the final days of the war, and the last troop train came through town on January 1, 1946. Today, the story of the Palestine Club demonstrates the community's commitment to World War II service on the home front. (2006)
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