In August of 1919, 54 young men from St. Charles, freshly home from World War I, using the doctrines and guidelines established by the National American Legion, decided to establish an American Legion Post in St, Charles.
But, in order to fully tell the history of Post 312, we must also tell you a little bit about the history of several other St.Charles Landmarks that were to play an important part of the History of Post 312.
The idea to establish a public park system in the City of Saint Charles was conceived on July 2, 1914. This occurred when a group of citizens petitioned the City Council to place a bond referendum before the voters, in the amount of $90,000 to acquire a public park. The land in question was a 42 acre tract commonly known as the “Saint Charles County Fair Grounds,” which had been put up for sale. The official name for this property was the “Saint Charles County Driving Park and Fair Association”, so named in 1890, when stock certificates were sold for $10.00 each. From 1875 until that time, the land was privately owned and called Mittleberger Park. During these periods the property was used as a track and fairgrounds for the racing of horses, dogs, bicycles and other exhibitions.
For more history, visit our website at www.alpos312mo.org
It could be said that the park system was born on September 26, 1914, with the passage of the bond issue. The citizen vote was 1,090 for and 16 against thus beginning the publicly owned system of parks. The land was acquired on December 2, 1914 at a cost $78,920. On December 7, 1914, Charles G. Kansteiner – City Clerk, petitioned the City Council to name this property “Blanchette Park”, in honor of Louis Blanchette; the Founder of Les Petite Cotes (City of the Little Hills) later to become City of Saint Charles. His suggestion was endorsed and by motion of the Council, “Blanchette Park” was named.
During its infancy, administration of park development and management of Blanchette Park was one of the direct responsibilities of the City Council. Because of the progressive nature of Saint Charles numerous problems were encountered throughout the City. To resolve those associated with the park, the City Council decided that an “Administrative” Park Board should be established to manage the park system, via an ordinance modeled on State Statue language.
