American Legion Post No. 512

The American Legion Post No. 512, is a historic meeting hall at Dolores and 8th street in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. The Post 512 clubhouse and its facilities are open to all legionnaires. The Alvin B. Chapin Memorial Hall is used for special events and civic functions.

American Legion Post No. 512
American Legion Post No. 512 sign.
General information
Architectural styleSpanish Eclectic
LocationDolores and 8th street, Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Coordinates36°33′19″N 121°55′24″W
Completed1928
Design and construction
ArchitectGuy O. Koepp
Main contractorM. J. Murphy
Website
www.alpost512carmel.org

History

American Legion Post No. 512 was founded by returning veterans from World War I that felt Carmel had special civic needs which could be advanced by a local group. It started in a converted barn on the southwest corner of Mission and Ocean Avenue in 1895, which evolved into the Manzanita Club. In 1925, the club acquired a lot on Dolores and 8th street. and hired Guy O. Koepp to design and M. J. Murphy to build a Spanish Eclectic style house with a new Manzanita Hall. Completed in 1928, it was first known as the Manzanita Clubhouse for men. The first addition was constructed in 1931 with a separate clubroom for cards and billiards. In 1934, the club welcomed a group a group that wanted to form a chapter of the American Legion.[1] It received its Provisional Charter in 1934. Byington Ford and other local service men, that served in World War I, were brought together to establish the Post 512 on August 20, 1934.[2][3]

The Post held one of its first meetings on October 1, 1934, in the Manzanita Hall.[4] Post No. 512 received its official charter in 1935.[5] On November 5, 1934, the club officially became the American Legion Post, No. 512. District Commander Al Clark presented Carmel with its temporary charter and James J. Regan became the first commander of the Carmel post.[1]

During World War II Post 512 was used as a United Service Organization, USO station for those going off to war.[2] In October 1941, Manzanita Hall opened its doors as a USO clubhouse. In November, they served more than 1,350 soldiers from Fort Ord.[1]

In 1943, the clubhouse added another extension to make a U-shaped building and added classes for soilders in arts and crafts.[1]

Carmel-by-the-Sea World War I Memorial Arch.

The American Legion Post 512 raised $10,000 for a new commemorative bell for the Carmel-by-the-Sea World War I Memorial Arch, located at the intersection of Ocean Avenue and San Carlos Street. The bell was installed on October 31, 2016, and dedicated on Veterans Day, November 11, 2016.[2] The Memorial Arch has been a historic landmark since 1921, when it was originally built by World War I veterans. The monument was designed in 1919 by celebrated architect Charles Sumner Green and is constructed of Carmel stone.[6]

George Faunce Whitcomb, a World War 1 veteran, wrote a poem to the Chaplain at Carmel Post No. 512 American Legion, entitled: A Legionnaire Speaks, which talks about "our sacred right to live as free men do."[7]

On November 9, 1960, Alvin B. Chapin, for who the Alvin B. Chapin Memorial Hall was named, was district commander of the Carmel Post 512.[8]

The American Legion Post 512 has been active in the Veterans Day ceremonies in Carmel by ringing of the commemorative bell at Ocean and San Carlos followed by an open house at Post 512 on Delores.[9]

See also

References
  1. "Long used by service members and veterans, buildings needs TLC" (PDF). The Carmel Pine Cone. 2021-11-12. p. 23. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  2. Dramov, Alissandra (2019). Historic Buildings of Downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea. Arcadia Publishing. p. 17. ISBN 9781467103039. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  3. "American Legion Post, No. 512, Growth of Legion Rapid". Carmel Pine Cone. 1937-04-30. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  4. "Business Meeting For Legion Monday". 1934-09-28. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  5. "American Legion Post 512 Carmel-by-the-Sea". www.alpost512carmel.org. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  6. "Carmel-by-the-Sea World War I Memorial Arch". www.worldwar1centennial.org. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  7. Whitcomb, George Faunce, A Legionnaire Speaks, Carmel Post No. 512CS1 maint: location (link)
  8. "Legion Post 64 Kicks Off Member Drive". Santa Cruz Sentinel. Santa Cruz, California. 9 Nov 1960. p. 12. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  9. "11 Veteran's Day Ceremony". The Californian. Salinas, California. 8 Nov 2013. p. C30. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
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