FRANK MARSTON AMERICAN LEGION POST 33

HISTORY

FRANK MARSTON AMERICAN LEGION POST 33 WAS IN THE FIRST GROUP OF POST FROM FLORIDA TO CHARTER AFTER CONGRESS APPROVED THE NATIONAL AMERICAN LEGION IN 1919.  ON SEPTEMBER 8, 1924 IN SANDFORD, FLA THE AMERICAN LEGION DEPARTMENT OF FLORIDA SIGNED THE CHARTER FOR POST 33. 

AMERICAN LEGION POST 33 IS NAMED TO HONOR THE MEMORY OF THE FIRST PENSCOLAIAN TO BE KILLED IN WW I. FRANK MARSTON WAS FROM A PROMINENT FAMILY AND TODAY ONE OF HIS DESENDANCE , BRIDG. GENERAL MICHAEL L FERGUSON IS A MEMBER OF POST 33. 

THE MEMBERSHIP BEGAN BUILDING THE BUILDING IN 1927 AT THE LOCATION IT IS TODAY. HOWEVER THE GREAT DEPRESSION HIT AND THE BUILDING WAS NOT COMPLETED UNTILL 1931. THEO BARR A PROMINENT BUSNESS INVESTOR WHO HAD PLANED TO BUILD A RESORT ON PERDIDO KEY IN SOUTHWEST ESACAMBA COUNTY NEAR THE ALA. LINE ON THE GULF. HOWEVER THE DREAMER DID NOT COME THREW SO HE DONATED THE FLOOR (HARDWOOD) AND RAFFTERS AS WELL AS THE STONE AND TITLES HE WAS GOING TO USE FOR HIS RESORT TO THE LEGION. THE LEGION HAS A 3200 SQ FT ON HANDWOOD DANCE FLOOR AND A STONE FIRE PLACE THAT TODAY GRACE OUR HALL. MR BARR’S DONATION IS A TESTIMENT TO HIS LIFE OF GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. HE WAS 50 YEARS AHEAD OF TIME. TODAY RESORT COVER PERDIDO KEY BUT HIS DREAM LIVES ON THREW POIST 33. 

EIGHTY YEARS AFTER HIS GIFT WE HAVE OVER 500 YOUNG PEOPLE AND MATURE ADULT DANCE ON THOSE FLOORS. EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT WE HAVE SWING DANCING AND EVERY WEDNESDAY OLDER ADULTS DANCE AND THE COST IS STILL ONLY $5 A PERSON.