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Picture: The Sievers Memorial Building provides quarters for The American Legion, United States Post Office and Pioneer Medical Center, as well as space for a variety of functions.

HENRY W. SIEVERS MEMORIAL BUILDING

    In 1943, a Mechanicsville bachelor and retired farmer, Henry W. Sievers, 86, was struck by a street car while wintering in St. Petersburg, Florida. On December 13, he died from his injuries. In his will he left $20,000 for the construction of a memorial building in Mechanicsville. The will stipulated that it should be called the Henry W. Sievers Memorial Building, and that it was to be for the “use, convenience and welfare of Busch-Dennis American Legion Post.” Should the Post cease to exist or to use the building then it became the property of the town. The building committee was to be H. J. Maurer, John Carvill and Dr. F. M. Wilson.

    Soon after this, in October of 1944, a public meeting was held in the school auditorium to discuss the building. At this meeting, it was decided to put on a drive for more funds and make it a community building. Harold Gibeaut was appointed chairman of the drive. Most of the workers were divided into teams, and assigned districts in town or country and the drive for funds was made. The results were most gratifying: $35,000 was pledged, two people gave $1,000 each, a number of World War I veterans gave $500 each. Some time after the drive was over, one man gave $3,500 (this was not part of the $35,000 mentioned above). The lot at the corner of First and John streets was purchased from Miss Lottie Smith for about $750. The house thereon, which had been her home, she had sold to another party and it had been moved away.

    Norman Hatton of Cedar Rapids was engaged as architect, and he drew plans for a two-story building that was acceptable to the committee. The money on hand at that time would have been sufficient to pay for it; never since could they have built so cheaply. But World War II was on, and building materials were badly needed for the war effort. Hence the Federal Government put on restrictions, stopping all building except for dire emergencies After the war was over and restrictions removed, it was impossible to get all the necessary materials. When finally materials could be procured, the price of this and labor had increased so much that the money on hand was not enough. The American Legion decided to contact a number of individuals for more funds, though no general community drive was made. Building plans were changed to a one story modern building with full basement.

    Bids were called for, and the general contract was let to Leigh Clark of Monticello, Iowa. Tuesday, April 14, 1953, ground was broken and excavating started. The heating and plumbing contract was let to Cook’s Hardware of Mechanicsville. A Cedar Rapids firm was given the wiring and lighting contract.

    The outside dimensions of the building are about 48 by 142 feet; the total cost when completed was almost $80,000. Dedication services were held on July 24, 1954. Busch-Dennis Legion Post have supervision.

    On the first floor, the Post Office occupies the southwest room. Pioneer Medical Center occupies the southeast rooms. A large auditorium, seating 380 people with stage and dressing rooms is at the north side. Downstairs is a large dining room and a well equipped kitchen; the Legion rooms, public rest rooms; a large room rented for various social gatherings. It is a beautiful building, filling a long felt need in the community and a source of great pride.

AMERICAN LEGION BUSCH DENNIS POST NO. 309

    The local post of the American Legion was organized Nov. 14, 1919, to be known as Busch Dennis Post #309, in honor of two men, Fred Dennis and Arthur Busch, both of whom died while in service during World War I. Major John R. Gardner of Lisbon, helped get the group organized by explaining the aims and purposes of the organization at the meeting held above the fire station in the old City Hall.

    A charter was requested and received by December 8 when the first officers were elected. Dr. F. A. Priessman was elected commander and B. G. C. Beck was named adjutant. One of the first orders of business was to get a regular meeting place and after some discussion it was decided to buy a home. A petition was circulated in the community and the public donated enough money to buy the old Masonic Hall for $800. An additional $1,200 was used to furnish it. In addition to the many generous donations, dances and other forms of entertainment were held to help pay for the hall and furnishings.

    The Legion became one of the town’s entertainment centers for the next few years with dances by local bands and musical groups like “Mahanah and Ogle.” Plays presented included “When a Feller Needs a Friend”, reported to be a real side splitter. Smokers and athletic nights with boxing and wrestling were held. Also box socials and speakers, including Col. Ralph Parker and . . .

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. . . State Commander Hanford McNider, who later became National Commander, were hosted.

    Through the years the American Legion has supported most worth while community affairs with funds and willing workers. They send two boys from the junior class of the local high school to Boys State each year where they get a week of indoctrination in government in action. They sponsor the Boy Scout program, carried the U.S.O. drive during World War II and actively support veterans programs.

    To the Legion has fallen the observance of Veterans Day (formerly Armistice Day) and Memorial Day. Veterans Day is normally observed with a potluck supper and entertainment and Memorial Day with a parade to the cemetery led by the colors and the band from the local high school. At the cemetery a program including a speaker is presented.

    Post #309 is well known for the honor they pay their departed comrades. Their colors, firing squad and flag presentation ceremony are used at most veteran’s funerals.

    In December 1943 Henry Sievers died leaving a will in which $20,000 was given for a memorial building which was to be for the “use, convenience and welfare of Busch Dennis Post” as long as so needed. Dr. F. M. Wilson, John Carville and H. J. Maurer were designated in the will to act as a committee to see to the construction of such a building.

    The community has asked to contribute to this fund at an open meeting held in the Mechanicsville School House in 1944. The sum of $35,000 was pledged in the drive following this meeting and a lot was purchased from Miss Lottie Smith for $750. Norman Hatton of Cedar Rapids was engaged as architect and presented acceptable plans for a two story building. With World War II in progress building materials were not available. After the war, the funds were inadequate to build a 2 story building so the plans were changed to a 1 story building with a full basement. The Legion added another $25,000 by conducting a limited drive, holding raffles and stags.

    Bids were called for and a general contract was let to Leigh Clark of Monticello. Ground was broken and excavation started April 14, 1953. The outside dimensions were 48x142 feet. The final cost was approximately $80,000. Dedication services were held July 24, 1943, turning the keys over to the Legion Post. They maintained possession of the building until July 1973 at which time it was turned over to the city so that the Medical Center could be established on the main floor beside the Post Office. The Legion and Auxiliary are to have use of a portion of the building without charge.

    The American Legion is formed of veterans, honorably discharged, who have served on active duty during any wartime period as denoted by the United State Congress.

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    The Legion membership has had its ups and downs over the years. The highest membership years were after World War II when about 250 members were acquired. The lowest years were during the depression when the charter was endangered because 15 members could not be signed.

    The American Legion helps to develop leadership and the membership has been active on county, district and department levels. Over 55 years of service to the community, state and nation is the heritage passed from the veterans of World War I through World War II, Korea and Vietnam. The Legion remains a strong advocate of peace.

Year	Commander	Adjutant
1920	D. R. Priesman	B. Beck
1921	Dr. F. M. Wilson	J. Carville
1922	Dr. F. M. Wilson	J. Carville
1923	W. O. Coyne	J. Carville
1924	R. D. Swartzlender	J. Carville
1925	V. H. DeWold	A. C. Scott
1926	F. J. Wilson	J. Carville
1927	Lester Nicoll	H. J. Maurer
1928	H. D. Scott	H. J. Maurer
1929	Dr. A. W. Cruse	H. J. Maurer
1930	Allen D. Jackson	V. H. DeWold
1931	Lee Park	L. Nicoll
1932	Lee Park	L. Nicoll
1933	Everett Ferguson	J. C. Houle
1934	Clayton Kline	M. E. Sauer
1935	Fred Baker	M. E. Sauer
1936	George Ross	C. R. Hevern
1937	Arthur C. Scott	Dr. A. W. Cruse
1938	Dr. A. W. Cruse	M. E. Sauer
1939	C. J. Miller	Allen D. Jackson
1940	George Dennis	Ralph H. Inks
1941	Urban Miller	Lee P. Parks
1942	Dr. A. W. Cruse	H. J. Maurer
1943	Andrew W. Cruse	H. J. Maurer
1944	Forest Shrope	Harold L. Gibeaut
1945	James C. Houle	Owen A. Byrne
1946	Everett L. Ferguson	Owen A. Byrne
1947	Everett Ferguson	Ralph R. Yule
1948	Leon Ralston	Ralph R. Yule
1949	Herb O. Eells	Ralph R. Yule
1950	Ralph Graham	Ralph R. Yule
1951	Don S. Young	Ralph R. Yule
1952	David Ferguson & Baxter Freese	James Cook
1953	Lee P. Park	Ralph R. Yule
1954	Lee P. Park	John R. Ward
1955	Charles W. Young	Ralph Yule
1956	James R. Miller	Merven A. Trump
1957	James R. Miller	Merven A. Trump
1958	Donald F. Walshire	Merven A. Trump
1959	Donald F. Walshire	Merven A. Trump
1960	John Sauer	John A. Moffit
1961	John Sauer	John A. Moffit
1962	Merven Trump & William Woods	John A. Moffit
1963	William Woods	Merle Thimmes
1964	Robert Ross	Merle Thimmes
1965	Robert Ross	Merle Thimmes
1966	Merle Thimmes	James Cook
1967	James Cook	Ray Rouse
1968	James Cook	Paul Crock
1969	Ray Rouse	Paul Crock
1970	David Ferguson	James Boots
1971	David Ferguson	George L. Fidler
1972	Lumir Holets	Rudy Frey
1973	Lumir Holets	Rudy Frey
1974	Rudy Frey	James Cook
1975	Rudy Frey	James Cook