In May 2020, Estes Park American Legion Post 119 embarks on a second century of service to veterans and the Estes Park community. But service in the new century requires your help with unfinished work from our first hundred years. We need to preserve, restore and update our 80-year old historic building both for its place in the history of Estes Park, as well as a place for our veterans and community to serve and relax in the future.
History You Didn’t Know
The building occupied by American Legion Post 119 was constructed on its present site in 1939 as the headquarters for the Colorado Big Thompson Project, a New Deal project designed to convey water from the Rockies western slope to Colorado’s eastern plains. The building overlooked a 23-acre site, serving as the Project base camp for 15 years. Upon completion of the Big Thompson Project in 1954, American Legion Post 119 purchased the building, and the structure began new service to veterans and the community. In 1998 the building was included on the Colorado State Register of Historic Places.
When the building was added to the State Register, its historic significance was noted as follows: (1) the property is associated with two events that made significant contributions to history — the Colorado-Big Thompson Reclamation Project, and the development of the Town of Estes Park; and (2) the property preserves distinctive characteristics of the Colonial Revival vernacular style architecture, representative of the Bureau of Reclamation’s New Deal projects.
Recent Progress
Due to the generosity of supporters, several restoration projects have recently been completed, including a new roof, new siding and windows, remodeling the Great Hall and installing a new audio-visual system, and refurbishing floors in the poolroom and hallway. We are grateful for these gifts which were also instrumental in motivating additional restoration and the 2nd Century Fund.
The Unfinished Work
In 2018 the Colorado Historic Preservation Fund paid for a structural analysis of the building to identify requirements necessary to preserve the building and enable it to serve the Legion’s Mission of service to veterans and the community. Projects identified include re-grading the site and installing new drainage to prevent further water damage to the foundation, improvement to parking, and making entrance ramps and bathrooms ADA accessible for injured veterans.
Help Veterans Serve Our Community
Our 2nd Century Fund goal is $150,000 by September 30, 2021. By funding the restoration projects,, your contribution will enable this historic building and American Legion Post 119 to continue to be a cornerstone for our veterans and the community of Estes Park as we enter our 2nd century. If there is a specific project that you would like to support, please contact us.
Your support of our effort with a donation or a pledge would be greatly appreciated. We accept cash, checks, credit cards and PayPal. Click on the link below donations@esteslegion.org.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING VETERANS AND OUR COMMUNITY.
