The American Legion Fontana Post 262 was charted on Feb 22, 1927 spent 4 years looking for home. In Novemeber of 1931 The American Legion Fontana Post 262 was located at 16966 Arrow Highway on the corner of Wheeler Ave and Arrow. The building is of Spanish colonial reival as most buildings in the original downtown area of Fontana.
Photo Of the Early days of the Post
The building was orginally built and used by the Fontana Boy Scout Lodge, which was constructed in 1926 as a meeting place for the young men of the town. The Fontana Farms Company and A.B. Miller donated a plot of land on the northeast coner of Arrow and Wheeler and drew up plans for the lodge. Actual consturction was made possible through donations of funds and maerials from local businesses as well as the generosity of the volunteers who erected the building on one day.
The structure reflected the concrned effort of the community while the Boy Scouts themselves sold Orange Show tickets to help raise money. O.A. Anderson, an executive of the Old Baldy Scout Council dedicated the lodge on March 26, 1926.
Three years later the Fontana Authletic Club moved into the building and for the next two years it served as a recreational facility for Fontana residents at a fee of $3.00/year.
A major renovation effort began in 1931 and The American Legion Fontana Post 262 opened it's doors for the first time in November. The roof, siding and windows removed so a larger building designed by Charles Albert Smith could be erected around the old lodge.
Photo of Post Just Before Closing it's doors in August 2007.
In late 2005, the City informed The American Legion Fontana Post 262 that the Fire Station next to the post needed to be expanded. We began a 1 1/2 year search for a new facility. Then in early 2007, the Fontana Redevelopment Agency and the Post found a solution. There was a restaurant on Foothill available. The building required a lot of “TLC” but it could work. An agreement with the City was reached in Feb 2007 and the transaction entered escrow. Escrow closed in May of 2007 and construction was started.
New Post Facility Before Construction Started
So much work was required and it all had to be compleed in 90 days to get the building, orginialy built in 1954, into shape so The American Legion Fontana Post 262 could begin to call this place home. Construction started in May of 2007 and was completed in August 2007.
Contractors review project and constructions details.
Shortly after construction started, Bill Wockley Post Commander was diagnosed with cancer. He passed away on July 21, 2007, just a few weeks before construction was completed. A memorial service and a “Good Bye” party was held on July 29th, 2007.
Bill's Memorial Service
Over 100 people attended the Memorial service, including members of 25th District, Area 5 Department of California and Posts from all over Southern California. The American Legion Riders and Patriot Guard Riders provided a 24-motorcycle escort for the veteran's family and carried Bill's ashes on the lead mortocycle throgh a procession in Fontana.
Bikes Head Out For Procession
Bill's Ashes Arrive At Memorial
Patriot Guard Riders Flag Line To Receive Remains
Joe Garcia, Area Commander Carries Remains
Through the doors of the Arrow building hundreds of Legion Members passed through it doors until in late August 2007 the doors were closed for the final time.