Amarillo in Potter County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

American Legion Hanson Post No. 54

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 18, 2015

1. American Legion Hanson Post No. 54 Marker

Inscription. Amarillo’s American Legion Post, organized in July 1919, is one of the oldest in Texas, formed two months after the group’s organizational caucus in St. Louis. The post, which officially received its charter in Sep. 1919, is named for David T. Hanson, a popular Amarillo doctor who served in the Spanish-American War and World War I. Volunteering as a surgeon with the 142nd infantry, he was killed while attending to a wounded soldier at St. Etienne, France. Ernest O. Thompson, later mayor of Amarillo, was the first post commander. Hanson Post worked to secure jobs and medical care for veterans, and promoted creation of a veterans hospital in the region. The post also helped coordinate veterans’ affairs before Amarillo received a branch of the Veterans Bureau in 1927. Hanson post also donated clothes, food and toys to needy veterans’ families at Christmas.

The post first met in the district courtroom of the Potter County Courthouse before moving to the Woodmen of the World Hall. In 1923, the Municipal Auditorium, dedicated to the war dead, included meeting space for the Legion Post; national post commander Alvin Owsley attended

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the dedication ceremony. The post later bought a building at Seventh and Madison streets which has been its headquarters ever since. Hanson post developed a ladies auxiliary (1920), junior auxiliary (1923), an early R. O. T. C. Unit (1928) and a Sons of the Legion (1934). In 1939, Amarillo got the Veterans Hospital which Hanson Post and civic leaders worked so hard to secure, bringing an important source of construction and medical jobs for the region. Post membership peaked around 1,200 members following World War II. The post continues to support active duty military personnel and veterans throughout the world.

175 years of Texas Independence ★ 1836-2011
Marker is property of the State of Texas

Erected 2011 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16905.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • War, Spanish-American • War, World I. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1919.

Location. 35° 12.452′ N, 101° 50.67′ W. Marker is in Amarillo, Texas, in Potter County. It is on SW 7th Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 18, 2015

2. American Legion Hanson Post No. 54 Marker

is at or near this postal address: 615 SW 7th Avenue, Amarillo TX 79101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Texas Panhandle.

It is also on the American Great Plains,

specifically on the Southern Plains,

and specifically on the High Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

the Dust Bowl,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Louis H. Smith, Inc. Firestone Store (approx. 0.4 miles away); Central Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Barfield (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fisk Medical Arts & Professional Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); Self Sacrifice of Padre Fray Juan de Padilla - 1544 (approx. 0.4 miles away); St. Mary's Academy (approx. 0.4 miles away); Santa Fe Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); American Mammoths (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers

American Legion Hanson Post No. 54 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 18, 2015

3. American Legion Hanson Post No. 54

in Amarillo.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 852 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 16, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.