In the verdant heart of Pennsylvania's Juniata Valley, nestled between the majestic peaks and the meandering Juniata River, the tale of the American Legion Country Club unfolds—a story of vision, collaboration, and the enduring spirit of community.
The genesis of this remarkable project dates back to August 26, 1924, when RPM Davis, a retired banker and manufacturer, orchestrated a meeting at the Mount Union High School building. Here, a group of local citizens and businessmen gathered to embark on an ambitious undertaking—the creation of a sprawling country club and summer colony. Little did they know that they were about to embark on the largest public enterprise ever undertaken by the people of Mount Union, Pennsylvania.
The canvas for their dream was the Walter Gifford farm, encompassing 300 acres of lush grounds. Two miles of riverfront was purchased from the Hercules Powder Company. The consolidation of this property, located three miles from Mount Union, was destined to become the home of the Juniata Valley Colony Club. Organized under the banners of the Juniata Valley Realty Corporation and the Juniata Valley Country Club, the venture boasted 128 stockholders and charter members. Their collective goal was to establish a haven where lovers of the outdoors could converge and relish the unparalleled beauty of the Juniata Valley.
With 1000 shares of par value stock at $50 per share and 2000 shares of no-par value stock, the Juniata Valley Realty Corporation set the wheels in motion. Each subscriber pledged four shares of stock at par value, injecting more than $25,000 in cash into the project. The grand vision included a Club House, Bath House, Boat House, Golf Links, Tennis Courts, roads, water, sewage, and lights connecting all buildings. A summer colony along the riverfront and on other prime sites, featuring four hundred lots, was laid out. The plan was to sell these lots to present and future club owners once the project showcased the advantage of these sites for summer cottages. The estimated cost of this colossal undertaking was a staggering $125,000.
The first milestone came in 1926 when the clubhouse was erected, the swimming pool and tennis courts opened, and an 18-hole golf course awaited eager players. Seventeen cottages stood ready for rent, showcasing the fruition of the original plans. Stock sales soared, attracting influential members like Governor J.S. Fisher, former Governor William C. Sproul, Pennsylvania Railroad President General W. W. Atterbury, and Pennsylvania State University President Ralph D. Hetzel.
Disaster struck in 1936 with the St. Patrick's Day Flood, washing out the dam, several cottages, and causing extensive damage to the golf course and surrounding areas. The Juniata Valley Colony Club faced bankruptcy, leading to its sale to Robert Yocum. Yocum, a member, held ownership for nearly a year before a matter caused the sale to be void, hence selling to its present owner, The American Legion, on June 6, 1937. The American Legion took the reins and transformed the property into the flourishing American Legion Country Club, managing it successfully for several hundred golf and associate members. Post-World War II, membership soared, prompting an addition to the clubhouse in 1947.
The legacy of the American Legion Country Club is intertwined with the names of professionals who lent their expertise. Tom Bendelow, the renowned golf course architect, marveled at the grounds in a letter to R.P.M. Davis, envisioning an exceptional 18-hole golf course. Anna Wagner Keichline, the pioneering woman architect, left her mark with the design of the main clubhouse building.
Through tribulations and triumphs, the American Legion Country Club stands today as a testament to the enduring spirit of community, the foresight of its founders, and the unwavering commitment of The American Legion. As the sun sets over the rolling hills and the Juniata River meanders through the landscape, the echoes of a dream conceived in 1924 continue to resonate—a dream that has blossomed into a premier country club, etching its story into the picturesque tapestry of central Pennsylvania.
