History of Johnstown American Legion Post 254
For longer than anyone alive can remember, Post 254 owned the building at 44/46/48 S.
Main Street in Johnstown. It was purchased by WWI veterans and a few civil war veterans in
1920. The Post sold that building and moved to the present location in June of 2013.
Main Street in Johnstown. It was purchased by WWI veterans and a few civil war veterans in
1920. The Post sold that building and moved to the present location in June of 2013.
A lot of history is associated with the Post’s old building. The street level was always
split into two halves. One side was always rented out as a bar, the other side, over the years,
was rented to various businesses. The location was once rented by the Johnstown Bank, which
later moved across the street and changed the name to BancOhio, later National City Bank, then
PNC Bank. The building, over time, was also the location of a radio station (WWWJ), a Singer
sewing machine shop, a patent medicine/soda fountain shop, and a variety store. During those
years when the street level was being rented to all those various businesses, the American
Legion and the VFW both used the upstairs for their meetings.
split into two halves. One side was always rented out as a bar, the other side, over the years,
was rented to various businesses. The location was once rented by the Johnstown Bank, which
later moved across the street and changed the name to BancOhio, later National City Bank, then
PNC Bank. The building, over time, was also the location of a radio station (WWWJ), a Singer
sewing machine shop, a patent medicine/soda fountain shop, and a variety store. During those
years when the street level was being rented to all those various businesses, the American
Legion and the VFW both used the upstairs for their meetings.
During WWII, there was an observation tower on top of the building to allow townspeople
to watch for enemy aircraft that might be trying to bomb the supply depot in Columbus now
known as “DSCC”. Also, the town “fire alarm siren” was on top of the building at one time.
to watch for enemy aircraft that might be trying to bomb the supply depot in Columbus now
known as “DSCC”. Also, the town “fire alarm siren” was on top of the building at one time.
Advancing age caused many of the members some difficulty climbing the stairs, so the
decision was made many years ago to move the Post home downstairs when the last downstairs
renter vacated. When that happened, the upstairs became a rental apartment. For a dozen or
more years prior to the Post selling the building, the upstairs was used only for storage.
decision was made many years ago to move the Post home downstairs when the last downstairs
renter vacated. When that happened, the upstairs became a rental apartment. For a dozen or
more years prior to the Post selling the building, the upstairs was used only for storage.
Starting in 1920 with the first commander, C.D. Hughes, Post 254 has had 59
commanders serve in the 1 year term of office. Of that total, seven have served 2 separate
terms and one had 3 separate terms. Also, one commander served 2 consecutive terms, three
served 3 consecutive terms, and one served 4 consecutive terms plus 1 separate term.
commanders serve in the 1 year term of office. Of that total, seven have served 2 separate
terms and one had 3 separate terms. Also, one commander served 2 consecutive terms, three
served 3 consecutive terms, and one served 4 consecutive terms plus 1 separate term.
Post 254’s new home at 180 West Maple Street in Johnstown, is only about 5 blocks from
the previous location. Long time Johnstown residents know the location as the former
“Johnstown Recreation Center”.
the previous location. Long time Johnstown residents know the location as the former
“Johnstown Recreation Center”.
Since moving in in 2013, the Post has made some changes: the former tennis court is now
a parking lot, a “Wall of Honor” monument (honoring all veterans) has been built and is said to be
the largest non-governmental monument in the state. Numerous other updates, repairs, and
improvements have been made to the building and the grounds.
a parking lot, a “Wall of Honor” monument (honoring all veterans) has been built and is said to be
the largest non-governmental monument in the state. Numerous other updates, repairs, and
improvements have been made to the building and the grounds.
The building is available for rent when not being used for Post functions, and Post 254
allowed the building to continue to be used for voting for several years just as it had been used
previously until Johnstown decided to move the voting place to the village offices.
allowed the building to continue to be used for voting for several years just as it had been used
previously until Johnstown decided to move the voting place to the village offices.