Looking Back
The American Legion Grows Its Presence in Emmitsburg
It took years, but the American Legion building finally got a facelift to its permanent home in 1950. The Francis X. Elder Post No. 121, on North Seton Avenue in Emmitsburg underwent two months of renovations. It reopened to its members on July 29, 1950.
“The Post, undoubtedly, is one of the most modern and artistic in this section of the county,” the Emmitsburg Chronicle reported.
The largest change was the addition of an annex built onto the rear of the building, which enlarged the building’s footprint to 70 feet by 40 feet.
The lower floor had a stag bar and game room. The upper floor had a stage, a lounge room where members could play games or read magazines and books, a new kitchen, and a bar. The bar was 24-feet long and oval-shaped with 28 bar stools around it.
“Covering the ceiling and part of the wall is variegated paneling,” according to The Emmitsburg Chronicle. “From the hardwood floor to the paneling was placed knotty pine paneling. Where the two meet, enclosed interchangeable blue and gold lights, the Post colors, surround the room and illuminate the interior.”
The Union Manufacturing Company had originally owned the building. The company, which was originally named the Frederick Seamless Hosiery Company, was founded in Frederick in 1887. It made hosiery for men, women, and children from wool, cotton, and silk. It became the Union Manufacturing Company in 1889. It opened in Emmitsburg in the early 1900s.
Post 121 bought the building on North Seton Avenue for $4,000. The remodel done a few years later cost $12,000. To celebrate the reopening, Post 121 sponsored a gala with music, dancing, and refreshments. The new American Legion post was packed with members and their guests, who admired the improvements and new addition to the post.
The post was first chartered on February 9, 1920, as Post 75. It had 18 members, and they met monthly on the second floor of Rowe’s Drug Store on the Square.
“It is believed that Charles W. Rowe was elected the first commander of Post No. 75,” the Emmitsburg Chronicle reported. “From reports, the Post was very active in civic affairs and attended many of the Legion functions.”
The charter members of Post No. 75 were: William R. Gelwicks, Charles J. Rowe, John A. Lockwood, Louis L. Annan, Thomas, C. Bittle, Clarence M. Baumgardner, Louis H. Stoner, M. Luther Kugler, Charles W. Kump, Charles C. Riffle, Frank W. Weant, William C. Shuff, Joseph W. Kerrigan, Clarence G. Frailey, George W. Wagerman, D. E. Stone, M.D., J. Albert Saffer, and Charles L. Sharrer.
During the Great Depression, the Post went inactive, and it had to be reorganized once interest was revived.
“In 1937 a second charter was granted after several years of inactivity. Francis X. Elder, a member of the 115th Infantry, Co. A, was the first Emmitsburgian to die defending his country in World War I. Therefore, the Legion members chose this volunteer, who was a native of this community, in naming Post 121,” The Gettysburg Times reported.
The Post has remained in the building on North Seton Avenue since that time. It also continues to be active in the community and serve its members in the Emmitsburg area.
