Dugout Lounge

Throughout the country, almost every American Legion Post had a club room, a lounge, a bar, or a canteen. No matter what they were called, they were originally created to give veterans a place for camaraderie and libation. American Legion Post 160 had such a place, The Dugout Lounge. Not a word play on a baseball team, but a reference to the volunteers of the post who actually hand dug (out) a basement under the building. From 1943 to 2013 it was a place for veterans, and later family members, to enjoy a tasty beverage after a meeting or a long day at work. As attitudes toward drinking, smoking, and drunk driving have changed in the active duty military culture as well as society at large the local American Legion bar is becoming a thing of the past for many American Legion Posts. No longer used as a bar, the basement has been updated to reflect a modern look. Once again spruced up with volunteer labor, the space is currently used as an open office space occupied by a community partner.