History of Emanuel L. Young American Legion Post 838
Some tales about the 50 years history of Emanuel L Young Post 838 American Legion of Texas. Like many businesses, the story of Post 838 begins in a garage. Actually, it begins with the 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom.
A group of veterans wanted to have an American Legion post in the Southside neighborhood of Fort Worth. J. E. Armistead was among those veterans, and a charter for the J. E. Armistead Post was granted by the American Legion on August 8, 1973. The charter with its original roll of members is on display on the wall at the front of our current building.
In 1973 the post officers leased a 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom house at 1001 East Oleander Street from a Mr. Earle Watts. Buddy Dupree recalls that the post grew to 60 members while at the house.
Social and business meetings were conducted twice a month. Three of its members were World War I veterans, and five airmen of the legendary Tuskegee Airman who joined the post. Plagues and posters in the lobby have information about their record in World War II.
Emanuel L Young, for whom the post is currently named, was one of the World War II veterans. The Post had a small bar. That bar was stocked with alcoholic beverages donated by the members. Drinks were resold at barroom prices, which help increase the Post treasury. Earnings from a bingo operation located on Benbrook Highway added $1,000 a month to the treasury.
The Post flourished and even hosted a District 12 meeting, it must have been an extraordinary time, hosting delegates from 15 posts in a 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom house.
The post needed a large place, so a group known as the “four Musketeers” began planning a new building n a new location that would have off-street parking. Ben Dupree, Frank Oliver, Billy Rigmaiden, and Fred Sales began looking for a site for a site for the new post building. The ideal location would be in the Southside neighborhood east of Interstate 35 W. That location is where we are now gathered. The location selected was a 3 acre parcel of land which was available at 1250 Mansfield Avenue, this was close to 1001 East Oleander Street location.
Post members REALLY WANTED a new building for a new Post, so the land was brought and a 15 yr., $500,000 mortgage was obtained with a $20,000 down payment in 1991. Groundbreaking took place in 1992, and the building was finished in 1992. 2 years after moving into this building the Post located in Stop 6 and Como merged with Post 838.
About that 15 yr. mortgage? They were able to do that by agreeing to take all the earnings from Bingo and the event known as Blue Mondays. By doing that the Post was paid in full in 1998, 7 years after it was issued. Also, in 1998 paperwork was submitted to the American Legion of Texas to rename the Post to Emanuel L. Young Post 838. That request was granted.
The Emanuel L Young American Legion Post 838 of 2023 is a community landmark. Its social club setting on weekends has a DJ music one night, Karaoke music and Line Dancing another night, and a place for community members to gather on Sundays to watch sports events on television.
Private social events service take place in the Members Lounge and the Ballroom. The ballroom is used for Sunday religious service, Pride of the South Masonic Lodge 324 meets in the building.
The post sends two young men to the Texas Boys State in Austin in June. It conducts a post contest as part of the national American Legion Oratorical competition in the fall of each year.
The time has arrived for beginning the historical record of the next 50 years to the recounted at the Centennial Celebration in 2073. Join us now as we begin tonight to create the future history of Post 838!
This History was compiled by Buddy Thomas Lindsey.