The American Legion was chartered as a patriotic, mutual-help, and community service organization.
Originally four line officers of the American Expeditionary forces met in Paris in late January 1919 to renew acquaintance, they were combat tested veterans and each had led battalions or regiments into battle during WWI. These four decorated veterans were Lt. Col Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. (his father was the 26th President), Lt Col. George White, Lt.Col. William Donovan and Major Eric Fisher Wood.
Through their efforts and the support of General Black Jack Pershing the American legion was founded and then chartered by the United states congress later in 1919
The American legion, Department (State) of Texas was founded in 1919, the same year the parent organization was founded in Paris. It's name, The American Legion, was suggested by major Maurice Gordon, who served in the 36th Texas Division during the war. Lt. Col Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. was a driving force in the Legion's early organizational activities. In the Department of Texas, Posts are organized into 23 districts, which are grouped into four divisions, which make up the departments. There are 55 departments. one for each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico and the Philippines.
Post 17 's original charter was accepted by the Department of Texas July 29, 1919 and accepted by Congress may 27 1921.
The first Home was on Jordan Street a block north of the courthouse.
The next meeting place was a tin building where the Putt-Putt Golf is located on Moulton Street. It was a small building just a place with few tables and chairs, a soft drink and soda/beer box. Payment was based on the honor system. The property next door was purchased later and the meeting hall was added in 1980 and paid for by 1990. The kitchen and offices were added in the 90's. The parking lot was repaved and the walls of our building resurfaced with stucco in 2006.
