American Legion Hall

Historic building still serves Blowing Rock after nearly eight decades

BY PATRICK MCCORMACK

Here in Blowing Rock since just after World War II, there has always been a well-maintained American Legion Hall. Ever-ready for business conducted by its namesake organization or for community events, it represents the sense of patriotism and togetherness that the town possesses.

First constructed in Blowing Rock by WWII veterans returning to the mountains of North Carolina, the American Legion Hall got a major renovation in 2014 into 2015, updating it to fit the needs of the townsfolk.

Originally built using volunteer labor and financed by donated funds, the Hall immediately became an important part of social life within the Town of Blowing Rock.

Starting in the late 1940s after its completion, the American Legion Hall played host to live music events, cookouts and barbecues, crucial town meetings and even operated as a dance hall on occasion.

Over time and frequent use, the hall started to show wear and tear, eventually culminating in the need to give it a facelift in the 2010s.

Renovations began on the

American Legion building in the fall of 2014, with a majority of the work being done by Greene

Construction Company — a Watauga mainstay almost as old as the building itself. Among the upgrades were an outdoor covered terrace on the back of the building, a new roof, a new floor, new bathrooms, new windows and