First in the World Post #14 American Legion Ambulance Service

Kent County · dedicated 2001 · 900 Smyrna Clayton Blvd, Smyrna

In 1924, the David C. Harrison American Legion Post #14 in Smyrna formed the first American Legion Ambulance Service in the world. The 18 founding members were veterans of World War I who volunteered to transport sick and injured community members to area hospitals. Prior to this time patients traveled by train, which delayed medical treatment. Services originally extended from Summit Bridge to Milford. In continuous operation since its founding, the Ambulance Service relocated from S. Main Street to Glenwood Avenue in 1961. A new facility that carries on the work of the original service opened in 2013 at the intersection of Routes 6 and 300.

David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries

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