In 1937-1938, the Post inaugurated the program to obtain the present Public Sports Stadium (Ball Park) which was completed in 1941. In that same year the West Duluth Post and the Shaughnessy Post of Morgan Park donated $1,000.00 towards the purchase of flood lights. The Post also assisted the movement to obtain flood lights and improve seating capacity at the Public Schools Stadium.

Also in this time period the Post sponsored the West Duluth Cubs Baseball Team and also had a Bicycle Club that taught children to ride bicycles safely in our area. Over the years there has been a hockey team (The West Duluth Bantam Team) and bowling teams that our Post was involved with. Since the beginning the Post has had a Cribbage Team.

West Duluth Post did have yearly awards, “The Legion Scholarship Medals” to worthy students of Denfield High, West Junior High and St. James School.

A movement to build a warm fieldhouse at Memorial Park was also done during this time. Material for the fieldhouse was obtained from the old Post Office Building (which was referred to as the “Old Green Shack”).

In 1937, the Auxiliary was busy as well. The Unit won the district award for “Americanism”. The Unit presented this award to Mrs. Ralph Pond, Americanism Chairman. That year Mrs. Winters was Auxiliary President.

Bert C. Onsgaard entered Duluth Hall of Fame as he was surrounded by innumerable friends including scores of Eight District Legionnaires because of his part in establishing in Duluth a zoo containing over 400 animals.

Funding for this time was provided by the West Duluth American Legion presenting plays with the proceeds to be used to carry out the Unit’s programs. Articles written for fund raising included holding pancake and sausage suppers.

The Post in 1937 was very much aware of the needs of Veterans and asked every unemployed ex-serviceman in the West Duluth District to register at the Legion club room so they could help them.

 

 

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