["The Post Home Problems and Perseverance." Anoka Union 10 Oct. 1964: Print.]
The Post Home or Clubhouse has suffered many indignities: a tornado, a fire, and a highway running through it.
For the first thirteen years the Post had no home. Meetings were held in the City Hall, the National Guard Armory, the High School and in members homes. This was the case with many Posts worldwide.
In 1932 space was provided in the Armory. Though not a home, there were rooms set aside for the Legion, with access to the drill floor and other public spaces. It was not to last.
On June 18,1939, in the midst of the Tenth District Convention, a tornado struck, destroying the Armory. It is noteworthy to mention that the activities planned for the Armory had been moved to the City Hall, probably averting injuries or even death. The Auxiliary functions were scheduled for the High School, which suffered only minor damage.
Meetings were again held in a variety of venues until January 1942. The upstairs storerooms of the Gamble's store at First and Main, today the National Bank Building, were completely refurbished. A kitchen and bathrooms were installed, and a separate meeting room was provided. Walls and floors were redone. A first class home was established. Again fate intervened.
A fire, in 1948, destroyed the Clubrooms. The Post next bought property with the intention of building. The property comprised twenty-three acres containing two houses and some cabins.
The two houses were moved together with a garage reconfigured as a breezeway. A basement was dug encompassing both houses. Work was primarily completed by veterans, some not Legion members. Necessary electrical and plumbing was provided free of charge. At last 'Ned' Cutter’s Post had a home.
WAIT, a bypass of US Highway 10, which had run through the city "forever", was planned to skirt the city. The bypass was going to go through the Clubhouse. A temporary home was located at the Pierce Motel on Ferry Street, while plans were made for a permanent home. Commander “Bud” Redepenning was urged to form a building committee, which he did. A number of sites were considered for the Post Home. It was decided to buy the Castle Falls Restaurant on West Main Street, the present location.
