Mt. Pulaski Ryman-Fuiten American Legion Post 477 headquarters, and community center RETURN TO MAIN PAGE <-- CLICK HERE
The
Mount Pulaski American Legion Ryman-Fuiten Post 477 was organized
(chartered on Jan. 12, 1920) soon after the United States American
Legion was established following WWI, in Dec. 1919, in Paris, France.
The post was named in honor of Dr. Herbert Dickens Ryman, Sr., of
Mount Pulaski and Corporal Zachary Taylor Fuiten of Lake Fork, both of
whom sacrificed their lives in the recent war.
The initial headquarters was established in several up-stair rooms of
the Lang building (Langebahn’s apartments).
This was brought about by Commander N.L. Hubbard and Adjutant Ray
Tribbett. In 1922, the
legion moved to the up-stairs of the Mount Pulaski courthouse, under the
guidance of Commander George L. Meister, Adjutant Ray Tribbett, Mayor
Brooks R. Atchison, Aldermans Chris Weller and William B. Jenner.
A 99-yr lease was drawn up, which included heat, water, lights;
with all re-modeling expenses paid for by the Legion at the rate of
$6/month until the work was finished.
The police department and post office occupied the ground floor.
In 1936, the courthouse was sold ($1, spearheaded by Il. State representative, N. L. Hubbard) to the State of Illinois, who in turn committed to a restoration project of returning the courthouse to appear as its original purpose, thereby establishing an Illinois State historic site (“Abraham Lincoln Shrine”).
The restoration was completed in late 1938, and shortly after Lincoln’s Birthday (Feb. 12th), its doors were opened to visitors on Feb. 16th, 1939. Now, locals and outside visitors could observe how the courthouse appeared in the days of lawyer Abraham Lincoln and Judge David Davis ... the site of the Logan County Seat of the Illinois 8th Judicial Circuit (1847-1855).
The first custodian and docent of the soon-to-be refurbished courthouse
was Gottlieb C. Zah, appointed on Jan. 26th, 1936.
Vintage furniture was brought in from various locations
throughout the state. The
courtroom seats were purchased from French’s Chapel (by the Division of
Parks, State of Illinois), northwest of the city.
Several old-timers remarked that the pews were very much like the
original seats (maybe they were, sold by the legion to increase space in
their "new" Post 477 headquarters in 1922). A gavel used by Judge
Davis was given to the historic site by an 81 year-old granddaughter of
former 1850’s Mount Pulaski Justice of the Peace, Nathaniel Whitaker.
Meanwhile, the American Legion convened in various locations:
Beidler building, Dr. Watt building, Beidler Theater, and the
Seyfer building. Membership
continued to dwindle until the end of WWII, when interest was revived by
both the new veterans and the general public. During the Fall of
1945, Mr. & Mrs. Everett Jarvis purchased the old Obermiller home from
the Obermiller estate, and then offered to sponsor within its confines
both the American Legion headquarters (including the American Legion
Auxiliary) and a community center.
This arrangement was gleefully accepted.
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One
of the
photos and much of the information were taken from the 1961 MP History
Book: "And She Held Forth Her Hand", by Emogene Green & family (pp.
103-105).
The other photo and more information were taken from the 125 Yesteryears
Anniversary edition, 1961.