Leon Ogier American Legion Hall Post No. 2

Built in 1910, the American Legion Hall Post No. 2, has a longstanding history in Nevada, Missouri. Originally built as an armory for the Missouri National Guard, the building now serves as a post for helping and guiding American veterans. The post is still active today, with toy drives, holiday parties, and currently serves as a sports bar.

 In 1886, a militia unit was organized in Nevada, officially called Company G, 5th Regiment, Missouri National Guard, but locally dubbed the “Harding Rifles” after J.E. Harding, the first Mayor of Nevada. After taking part in the Spanish-American war, the Company was reorganized into Company H.^[1]

In 1910, the Company built the armory hall on East Cherry for a cost of $16,000 through a majority of donations from local citizens. On July 11, 1919, the Leon Ogier Post No. 2 American Legion received its charter, becoming the 2nd post to be organized in the state of Missouri. In 1922 the National Guard moved from the armory to Camp Clark in Nevada. According to an architectural survey by Linda Becker and Cydney Millstein^[2] , the building architect was T.W. Blast, and the builders were the Daly Brothers. The four corner two-story towers and crenelated parapet visually supported by rounded arch brick corbelling depict Tudor elements. 

The Post is named in honor of Leon M. Ogier, a native Missourian from Nevada, who perished in France during World War I. Ogier was a member of Company B, 128th Machine Gun Battalion, 35 Division, the Nevada Unit. As such, the Post often goes by “Memorial Hall” and “Legion Hall”.^[3]

Information submitted by Joanne Thomas^[4] to Nevada and Vernon County's Heritage, says the Post's first district commander was Herbert B. Wardin. Additionally, the Post also offered a space for community functions such as dancing, Christmas Trees and parties for local youth, rifle and bicycle clubs, Junior American Legion Baseball League, Boy Scouts, Boy’s State and school award ceremonies. In the 1920’s, the post sponsored an outstanding Drum and Bugle Corps, winning several top awards for performances within Missouri. 

Today, Members of the Post have annual toy drives for Christmas, hold Holiday dinners, and serves as a sports bar.^[5] According to the Missouri Legion Post Locator, dues are $34.00 and members meet the 1st Tuesday of the month, at 6:30pm.^[6]

^[1] Brophy, Patrick. 1993. Three Hundred Years: Historical Highlights of Nevada and Vernon County, Missouri. Boulder, CO: Donna G. Logan.

^[2] Becker, Linda F., and Cydney E. Millstein. 1992. Commercial Districts of Nevada, Missouri Kansas City, MO: Architectural and Art Historical Research. rep.

^{[3] [4]} Nevada and Vernon County’s Heritage, 1855-2005. 2 vols. Nevada, Mo: Sesquicentennial History Book Committee, 2005.

^[5] American Legion begins Annual Toy Drive, Nevada Daily Mail. October 23rd 2015. Accessed April 29th 2022. https://www.nevadadailymail.com/story/2243370.html.

^[6] 6th District, Missouri Legion Post Locator. Accessed May 4th 2022. https://www.missourilegion.org/_files/ugd/99c59f_f1a03a1a3de94906b1ebf080ec7531c2.pdf.