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The 1950's
The
minutes of the Post 177 meetings in the early 1950’s show that
the finances of the Post as "less than a shoestring."
With little more than $300 in the general fund, a $2.00
expenditure for the use of a projector required board approval!
With the same determination and grit shown by these men of World
War I and World War II, the members forged ahead.
In
1952, a cornerstone was obtained from the remnants of the White
House renovation. It was inscribed with the Legion motto
"For God and Country" and contained a chamber for the
names of the WW I, WW II, and Korean War dead who didn’t
return from those conflicts. The stone itself was a remarkable
historical rock that originally was quarried on Squires Creek in
Fairfax County in 1774 and still bore the smoke stains of the
British burning of the White House in the War of 1812.
In
early 1955 meetings were held in the new Post Home for the first
time. Permanent lighting, restrooms, and temporary heating were
installed for the 10th Anniversary Dinner in May of
1955. 1955 also saw the beginning of Little League baseball on
the Post grounds with a diamond built in the rear of the new
Home. Our relationship with Little League continues to this day
with the Fairfax Little Leagues, Inc. renting the modern and
lighted Chilcott Field for $1.00 per year.
A
loan of $25,000 enabled the remaining brickwork and roof to be
completed. By 1956, the ground floor was completed, a kitchen
was installed, and the "rumpus room" enlarged. With
the culmination of the Post Home construction in sight, a loan
of $110,000 was obtained to finish the building, with the
exception of the two side porches. The original plans called for
a covered balcony and a screened porch on either side of the
building at the second story level.
The
long anticipated completion of the Post Home was reached in
1957. Radio station WCFR (now AM 1510 WEEL) rented a portion of
the ground floor, providing much needed revenue. Chilcott Hall
was used for the first time in May when the Evangelical Lutheran
Congregation held Lenten services. The Hall was opened to the
public on May 18th and 19th, followed by a
Back-To-God program on the 20th. With a beautiful
facility in hand, the Post hosted a series of major events ---
the 10th District Convention, July 4th
fireworks and reception, weddings, parties, and fundraisers.
A new wave of pride of accomplishment spurred the members to plan the
ultimate completion of the side porches and an ambitious
undertaking to build an Olympic sized swimming pool on the
grounds. However, after considering the amount of debt to be
carried by the Post, the plans were shelved.The
1940's - The Beginning | The
1950's - Growth | The 1960's -
The Fire | The 1970's through
Today | Home
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