HISTORY OF OLD MISSION PENNSULA AMERICAN LEGION MEETING HALL
The building once used as the Garland-Tompkins Post 399 American Legion
Community Hall had been standing since 1898. It was built as a clubhouse
for the Knights of the Maccabees. In 1926 the plot was deeded to the Peninsula
Township School District and used as a community
building. It served this function for nearly 40 years. In 1962, the building
passed into the hands of the American Legion. Members of the Old Mission
chapter have used it as a meeting hall since that time. In 1986, Members
decided to do a thorough upgrading and have the building restored to its
original grandeur. Not only for their own use but also for the Old Mission
Community. This housed a basketball court, which doubled as a dance floor,
and a stage previously used for community functions and school plays. Just
before the work was completed, the hall was totally destroyed by fire. It
was rebuilt into the hall that stands today. The Old Mission Post Office
is adjacent to this building as of June 2006.
The American Legion Community Hall is available for small weddings, graduation
open houses, baby showers and other community events. The public is invited
to family style dinners hosted by the Legion members on the first and third
Tuesdays of every month. The dinners start at 6:30 P.M. but most residents
arrive a little early to get together to meet and visit with friends. Stop
in and meet your neighbors and make new friends.
The Legion members have been involved in sending packages to members of
the Armed Services that are residents of Old Mission Peninsula as well as
helping with the postage costs to the volunteers who send these packages
out to our troops.
The Legion hosts an annual Pig Roast every August to help with expenses
to maintain the hall and to pay off the construction of the Post Office
addition.
For more information, call 231-223-4433