WEATHERFORD — The American Legion Post 163 has served as a meeting place as well as a social atmosphere for veterans and the community for several years.
But within the next two months, the legion will be undergoing a major makeover, purchasing property near Cartwright Park to construct a new post.
“In 2007, we started assessing the need to rebuild our post, repair it or replace it,” Ron Chandler, past commander and finance officer for the legion, said. “The post became unusable and the kitchen, which has been there for many, many years, wasn’t being kept up with standards and when you remodel, you have to adhere to the existing ordinances.”
After much thought, the officers of the post received an offer from a company wanting to purchase the property where the legion currently sits, off of Eureka Street, with plans to turn it into a rehab center.
“They made the offer on the whole property, and the amount was enough for us to sell it and use the proceeds to buy the property near Cartwright Park,” Chandler said. “We’ll sign the final contracts Monday.”
The soon-to-be acquired property is about 6.5 acres, which Chandler said is much bigger than the Eureka property.
“We’re just working on getting what permits we need, the planning and drawings, and when we finalize everything Monday, we’re going to move full force with vacating,” he said.
The last official meeting will be Tuesday. Until the new building is completed, Chandler said the post will use members’ locations as well as a temporary trailer to conduct their meetings. The building is scheduled for an initial opening in November.
Chandler and other officers began doing inventory of all the items at the legion, with the goal of donating and selling what they won’t transport to the new facility.
A moving sale will take place Sept. 14 and 15.
This won’t be the first major face-lift for the Weatherford Legion, which was granted its first charter in 1920. With no official building, meetings were held at various members’ homes and at the local Elks Club.
In 1933, the post bought its home, at Front Street and North Elm, which was later reduced to 703 Eureka St.
In the late 1950s, Post 163 had its charter cancelled, and many of its records were lost. Research and personal interviews with former commanders and members indicated that the post was reactivated, and obtained a private club license, which it continues to use to this day.
In 1975, renovations were made, including adding on a hall where meetings are conducted.
