History of 19 South Brown Street

Timeline

• 1910 to 1945: Pool & Billiards Hall and POOM Lodge.
• 1945 to 1947: VFW renovations adding 2nd Wing
• 1947 to 1962: The Phillips-Jones Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post No. 1349
• 1964 to 1966: Plaidland Stamp Store & Civil Defense
• 1966 to 1968: Plaidland Stamp Store, Civil Defense, Plaza School of Beauty, Training Consultants Inc & Economic Development Corp of America
• 1968 to 1969: Leoras Cafeteria, Plaidland Stamp Store, Civil Defense, & Plaza School of Beauty
• 1970 to 1975: Leoras Cafeteria, Plaidland Stamp Store, & Empire Beauty Schools Inc
• 1976 to unknown: Leoras Cafeteria, Friendship Book Store, Empire Beauty Schools Inc & Schoenman Beauty Shop

We’re still missing details from 1910 to 1945 and after 1976. If you have stories or photos of this building, inside or out, please call us at 717-248-4997. We’d love to share them.

Phillips-Jones VFW Post No. 1349, 1945 to 1962

The Phillips-Jones Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post No. 1349 is a historic property located at 19 South Brown Street in Lewistown, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. The building consists of two wings, with the first wing built around 1910 and the second wing added in 1947. The building underwent alterations and additions in a Streamline Moderne style by architect William Lynch Murray. The original building housed a “Pool and Billiards” hall on the ground floor and a fraternal organization called the “P.O.O.M. Lodge” on the second floor. The VFW Post No. 1349 purchased the building in 1945 and transformed it into a modern social hall for returning veterans. While some modifications have been made over the years, many character-defining features of the Streamline Moderne style remain.

The clubhouse’s exterior retains most of the alterations specified in the 1947 drawings, including a fan-shaped porch, Virginia greenstone panels, and steel casement windows. The interior of the building has a basement level that was initially planned to include bowling alleys, a club room, and a card room. However, due to financial constraints, the bowling alley was never completed. Over time, the interior has changed, including removing partitions, stairs, and plumbing. The club and card rooms were originally planned with specific materials but were revised during construction.

The Phillips-Jones VFW Post No. 1349 holds historical significance as it is associated with the social history of fraternal organizations, particularly the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post and its Ladies Auxiliary. The post and its members made significant contributions to social life and community affairs during the postwar years of 1945 to 1962. The building represents post-World War II vernacular architecture and showcases the transition from Art Deco to Streamline Moderne. The VFW is an organization formed by veterans of military campaigns and skirmishes fought between the Civil War and the end of the 19th century. The VFW aims to preserve comradeship among its members, assist veterans and their families, uphold American freedom, and defend the United States against its enemies. While the VFW initially withdrew membership for women in 1944, it was reinstated in 1978. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary was established in 1914 and played a significant role in supporting the Veterans of Foreign Wars programs and activities.

The inclusivity of Black veterans at the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Lewistown during that time is unclear. The post was named to honor two servicemen killed in the line of duty, Private James S. Jones and George R. Phillips, who were recognized for their service during World War I. Post 1349 faced challenges during construction, including inflation, material shortages after the war, and high construction costs. They decided to renovate an existing building instead of constructing a new one. The Ladies Auxiliary was crucial in fundraising and supporting the post’s programs and activities.

For the full history, download the Statement of Significance below.