Veterans Memorial Building

American Fork built its war memorial the Depression way: it remodeled. In 1934, a Civil Works Administration grant — New Deal money — joined city funds and American Legion Post 49 to convert an older commercial building into a hall honoring the town's World War I servicemen, the result of years of organizing by local veterans and their families. The makeover produced a well-kept example of PWA Moderne architecture and gave the Legion a home that everyone simply called the Legion Hall. It still stands, memorial and meeting place in one.

What the plaque says

The Veterans Memorial Building, also known as the Legion Hall, was originally constructed as a commercial building sometime before 1932. In 1934 it was extensively remodeled as an early public works project funded by three sources: A Civil Works Administration Grant (part of the New Deal era legislation), American Fork City, and the American Legion Post 49. American Fork veterans, wanting to bolster public remembrance of their comrades who served and died in WW1, organized a small group of men and women who worked for years to establish a suitable memorial. Their efforts resulted in the remodeling of this structure to honor WW1 servicemen. As a result of their support and its use as a Legion Post it was commonly known as the Legion Hall. The building is a well-preserved local example of the "PWA" moderne style of architecture, which was used extensively during the 1930's on government-funded buildings. It features smooth wall surfaces, flat roof, plain, narrow cornice, framed entrance, and metal sash windows. The interior maintains much of its original fabric such as the wainscoting, staircases, crown molding, wall sconces, and 1930's kitchen with elaborate cabinets, glass cupboard doors, and chrome plated hardware.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Lehi Roller Mills — 2.9 mi
  The flour mill from the movie Footloose
• Timpanogos Cave National Monument — 6.4 mi
  Three spectacularly decorated caves connected by hand-carved tunnels
• Thanksgiving Point — 6.6 mi
  A massive complex with dinosaur bones, gardens, and a curiosity museum
• Alpine Loop Summit — 9.6 mi
  The 8,000-foot high point of the Alpine Loop, face to face with Mount Timpanogos

More markers nearby

• American Fork Presbyterian Church — steps away
• First Free Public School (2) Markers — steps away
• Fort Wall of American Fork — steps away
• First Flour Mill — 0.2 mi