WALTER NELSON POST 326 HISTORY

 Walter Nelson was born on November 12, 1891. Little is known of his childhood but at the age of 27, he joined the Navy to fight for his country. In June of 1918 he was stationed at the Great Lakes Training Center. He died in the service of our country in September of that same year and our post honors his name as Boyd’s only fatality of World War I.

With an Honor Count of 34, Post 326 was incorporated in 1927. The Auxiliary followed in 1931, and the post maintained through the 30’s and early 40’s, gaining many members as a result of World War II.

The Legion held their meetings on the second floor of the Fred Moyer building. They bought that same property located between the old Double D Saloon and Tom Starr’s office (now a parking lot) in 1946 for $6,000 from funds raised with the rage of the day – Bingo. Floyd Eslinger joined in 1946 and soon became Financial Officer, a post he held until failing health forced him to "retire" in 1998.

More spacious quarters were needed and the current location on Clark Street was purchased from Leo Mandel for one dollar on January 15, 1958. Clarence Patten dug the basement and Commander John Greb and Adjutant Bernard Hofkes procured a $3,000 loaN to build the "Dugout". Post 326 flourished through the efforts of its strong membership (many of whom are still active). In December of 1980, the Post, under Commander Nick Zais, Jr., borrowed $18,000 and the structure you now see was built. On May 15, 1990, Commander Joe Jackson and the membership burned the mortgage - hallelujah!

1998 brought more improvements, with then Commander Gerry Gully and Commander Steve Isensee leading the efforts to install handicap restrooms and sound-absorbent wall carpeting upstairs.

Improvements since 1998 have been installation of a steel roof, installing glass block windows in the basement, and the installation of air conditioning to both the upstairs and downstairs of the Legion Hall.