War Veterans Memorial Building

Park City's American Legion wanted a hall for Summit County's World War I veterans as early as 1919, but the money wasn't there, and the plans sat for fifteen years. They came back to life in the mid-1930s, when the county bought this site, levied a small tax, and won federal WPA grants to finish the job — civic leader Ed McPolin pushing it along. The cornerstone was laid in 1939 and the building dedicated by January 1940, dressed in the crisp geometry and floral relief of Art Deco, then at its peak.

What the plaque says

In 1919 Park City's newly-organized American Legion proposed to build a meeting hall in honor of Summit County's World War I veterans. Plans were drawn up, but had to be tabled when funding could not be found. The project was reactivated in the mid-1930s when Summit County commissioners purchased this site, and approved a tax assessment of one mill to be allocated for the building. Additionally, grant monies were obtained from the Work Progress Administration. Park City civic leader Ed McPolin was instrumental in obtaining county support for this endeavor. The cornerstone of the War Veterans Memorial Building was laid in April, 1939; by January 1940 the building was completed and dedicated. The structure's design represents the Art Deco style popular from 1925 to 1940. Art Deco floral relief sculpture is featured on the central portion of the front facade, and is typical of the hard-edged relief ornamentation found around door and window openings of this building style. The stepped, set back facade is also characteristic of the Art Deco style. With its auditorium, lounge, kitchen and dining room, bowling alley, pool and game rooms, and meeting rooms, the building became a significant part of Park City's recreation and cultural life. Most recently the building has been headquarters for the Park City Recreation Department, and was base for community radio station KPCW until late 1984. The Park City City Council Beld meetings here until 1982, and the building still provides facilities for nonprofit and civic organizations. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Park City — steps away
  Silver built it. Snow saved it.
• Park City Main Street — steps away
  A historic mining town turned world-class ski and film festival destination
• Park City Mountain — 0.8 mi
  The largest ski resort in the United States, grown straight out of a 19th-century silver town.
• Deer Valley — 1.5 mi
  A ski-only luxury resort above Park City, now in the middle of the largest expansion in U.S. ski history.

More markers nearby

• The Alamo — steps away
• Car 19 — steps away
• Frank Andrew Building — steps away
• Rocky Mountain Bell Telephone Office — steps away