The Active Historian

Hey, Friend! Welcome back to another post. Today, I want to show you the American Legion Hut in Edmond, Oklahoma. Let’s get started!

History

The American Legion Hut was built in the southwest corner of Stephenson Park in 1936 and was finished in 1937. The building is 30×60 feet and is largely divided into two rooms.

The building committee was made up of Sam Johnson (chairman), Frank Buell, Jr., Fred Settle, and William Thompson. John Drennon was named the foreman of the project.

The American Legion Hut was constructed using native sand stone with a rough finish on the interior and exterior. The sand stone rocks came from the farm of Mrs. Peters, an Edmond Gold Star War Mother.

Twelve men were hired to work on the project for four months through the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the New Deal. U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt created this program to help combat unemployment during the Great Depression.

The estimated cost of the American Legion Hut in Edmond was $7,000 according to the newspapers with $5,000 being provided by the federal government. The local American Legion post fundraised the remaining $2,000 for the building.

It opened its doors in 1937 and has been active in the Edmond community for nearly 90 years. You can still drive by and see this historic building sitting in Stephenson Park. I hope you’ll go check it out!

The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.

Historic Marker Transcription

Frank H. Collings

American Legion Post 111 Building

101 E. 5th Street, Edmond, Oklahoma

“To commemorate the historic preservation of the Frank H. Collings Post 111, completed in 1937 through the Works Progress Administration, at a cost of $7000.00. The post was named in honor of the first Edmond resident killed in WWI. The building was placed on the National Register of Historical Places in 1993.

The veteran members meeting in this building focus on continued devotion to fellow service members, veterans, and their families. The members are committed to mentoring youth, conducting wholesome community programs, advocating patriotism and honor, and promoting strong national security.”

Visit

101 E 5th Street

Edmond, OK 73034

Sources

Newspapers

“American Legion Is Assured Hut.” The Edmond Sun (Edmond, OK), September 19, 1935.

“New Sites Chosen For Two Buildings.” The Edmond Sun (Edmond, OK), October 17, 1935.

“Seen In Passing.” The Edmond Sun (Edmond, OK), February 20, 1936.

“Edmond’s New $620,000 Public Buildings Program Started This Week.” The Edmond Sun (Edmond, OK), February 27, 1936.

“Work To Begin Friday On New Legionnaire Hut.” The Edmond Sun (Edmond, OK), September 17, 1936.

“Work Starts On Legion And Auxiliary Hut In Park.” The Edmond Booster (Edmond, OK), September 18, 1936.

“Rocks for Legion Hut Comes From Farm of Gold Star Mother.” Edmond Enterprise (Edmond, OK), September 22, 1936.

“Building of Legion Hut to Start Soon.” Edmond Enterprise (Edmond, OK), September 29, 1936.

“Legion Hut Is Now Going Ahead Rapidly.” Edmond Enterprise (Edmond, OK), December 22, 1936.

“Auxiliary Hostess To Mothers.” Edmond Enterprise (Edmond, OK), May 4, 1937.