On July 15, 1918, Westwood resident Clyde A. McKea died in combat in France, making him the first casualty from Lassen County of World War I. In the fall of 1919 a new national veterans organization was formed—The American Legion.
On June 20, 1919, a group of World War I veterans in Westwood organized the McKea Post, named in honor of their fallen comrade. On October 4, 1919, they received their charter and became officially known as the American Legion McKea Post No. 80.
The new organization struggled to attract members and by 1924 its membership roster consisted of a group of ten men. But changes for the McKea Post were on the horizon. In December 1924 Red River, in true holiday spirit, announced they were going to build an impressive three-story hall for the American Legion at a cost of $20,000. The site selected was at 409 Ash Street.
On June 2, 1925, the McKea Post held their first meeting in the new hall. The attendees were impressed with a first floor that consisted of a large meeting room, and could be utilized for banquets and dancing. The ceiling was adorned with massive wooden beams, and the room was paneled with Paul Bunyan’s Pine Plywood. On the second floor were bachelor apartments to provide income to operate and maintain the building. The third floor was used as a gym.
On July 5, dedication ceremonies for the hall were held. The McKea Post invited Red River’s founder, T.B. Walker, to the festivities. T.B. sent a letter of regret that he was unable to attend due to health issues. In addition, he expressed his high regard of the American Legion and his heartfelt wishes of goodwill to the McKea Post. The following week the McKea Post held an open house dinner and dance for the public.
The McKea Post’s new hall brought with it a huge surge in membership. By July 1926 the Post could boast 338 members. They even won the silver cup award from the California American Legion, as they had one of the largest gains in membership for a single year. In addition, a women’s auxiliary had been formed with a membership of over 100.