This Columbus site helped win World War II

Flashback: Since 1918, the depot has served as a federal distribution point for military supplies.

• The location was chosen because of its proximity to railroad lines.

By the numbers: It eventually grew into the world's largest military supply installation, with 10 million feet of storage spread across 635 acres.

• During World War II, over 1,000 freight cars per week carried everything from combat trucks and weapons to food rations, uniforms and first aid kits from the depot to be shipped around the world.

The intrigue: Late in the war, hundreds of German prisoners worked "under the watchful eyes of armed guards," per the Whitehall Historical Society.

• The Defense Supply Center, as it is now known, still supplies equipment to all branches of the armed forces to this day.

Watch WOSU's short documentary about the depot.

3️⃣9️⃣ down, 86 to go.

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