The veterans of World War I, in a Paris caucus in 1919, organized a veterans’ organization to be known as The American Legion. On Saturday night, February 28, 1920, about twenty ex-service men from Lone Tree met to organize a new post at the former Miller Farm Store (site now destroyed by fire) and the name of the new post was chosen.
The post was named after our first soldier death of World War I, John. L. Mumm, who died September 29, 1918. The post charter was the 457th approved in the State. The 15 men who constituted the required number to petition for a charter of the new organization were J.E. Ashton, John. F. Dodson, Gildra B. Kirchner, Charles E. Gilbert, Perry S. Holdeman, Howard W. Younkin, Edwin E. Goss, Cleo M. Gilbert, Arthur M. Rossiter, Robert Geddes, Roy E. Rossman, John J. Huff, Coyt M. Westfall, Julius W. Schaapveld, and W.T. Platt.
The first meetings of the new organization were held in the old Town Hall Waterworks Building, next to the hall above the Doerres Feed Store, now the Smith-Douglas Fertilizer Building. In December of 1920, the Legion moved to the second floor of the W.S. Potter Building. Later, Legionnaire Walter Shoquist operated his grocery store in the business area of the first floor.
On December 3, 1940, Jim Stock, the present post historian, working as a grocery clerk for Mr. Shoquist, turned in thefire alarm for one of Lone Tree ’ s most destructive fires. The fire started in “Shorty” Johnson's barbershop. When the sun set that day, The Post Home, Shoquist’s Grocery Store, Kline’s Tavern, the barbershop, the Lone Tree Savings Bank, the high school’s rented basketball hall and several other business places were without a home.
The 20 year old post then held its last 1940 meeting in Nielson ’ Hall, now the Smith-Douglas Building (location of the 1919 meetings). In 1941, The Legion purchased the “ Link ” Smith property at the corner of Huskins and Elm Streets.
As the World War II veterans began returning to Lone Tree and boosting the membership of the local post, the need for more space became evident. Many locations were screened, including a community try for a joint Community-Legion Building in 1947.
During the years 1941 to 1956 much remodeling was done. Extensive work was done to the interior, and a small addition added to the northwest side of the Post Home.
On Christmas Day, 1956, Lone Tree again sustained a major fire loss when the main school building was damaged by fire. Almost all the available buildings in Lone Tree were utilized by the school for classrooms. The Post Home was no exception, as it became the seat of learning for the sixth grade pupils. Unusual meetings were held with six foot veterans jammed into sixth grade seats.
In 1958, the Rock Island Railroad offered for sale their depot building located north of the Railroad Park. The Legion members immediately were interested in this building, and contacts were made to enter a bid. On July 2, 1958, the post submitted a bid for the building, and on September 23, 1958, was mailed the bill of sale for the building. At the same time, negotiations were being made with the Eclipse Lumber Company for the land where the depot was located. On October 24, 1958, the Eclipse Lumber Company deeded the site to the Legion.
The Post finalized the sale of the old Post Home to the First Methodist Church on February 28, 1959. The proceeds from the old Legion Building were used to improve the new Post Home. The depot Post Home served very well, and many hours of work were spent improving the interior of the building.
The addition of the Korean veterans to the membership brought again to the front the need to expand the building. On February 14, 1966, it was voted to construct a frame addition to the north side of the present building. Many hours of labor, of legionnaires and friends, were donated to the construction of the new addition.
The post’s “Avenue of Flags” project, initiated in 1965, has brought much publicity and good will to Lone Tree. The growing rows of flags bring more visitors each year to the Memorial Day and July 4th displays in the Lone Tree Cemetery.
The John L. Mumm Post 457, in cooperation with the Lone Tree Park Board and friends of The Legion, obtained and placed on display in 1969, a M 41 Tank, as a memorial to all who have served in the armed forces.
Vietnam veterans became eligible for The American Legion in 1964. This fact, plus many new members added each year, earned in 1971, for the John L. Mumm Post No. 457, the “Super Post” citation for obtaining an all-time high membership for five consecutive years. Final 1971 membership was 149 members.
Fifty-five Post Commanders and twenty-four Post Adjutants served the post from 1920-1972. In 1971, in honor of these men, the post placed in The Legion Home, a large plaque with brass engraved name plates for the Commanders and Adjutants who have served from 1920 to 1972. In addition, pates to the year 1999 were added for the names of future Commanders and Adjutants.
The impact of the veterans to our community is evident in the lists of those who serve our community on the town council, as firemen, on the chamber of commerce, in church groups, on school boards and other organizations; this shows the Legionnaire’s devotion to his community, state, and nation.