History of Amador Post No. 108

October 19, 1919 a meeting was held at the Jackson courthouse to organize a local post of the American Legion. Nearly 100 ex-service men attended the meeting. M. J. O’Connor opened the meeting and explained the aims of the Legion and read the history of the organization which was founded earlier this year.

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Dr. E. E. Endicott of Jackson was chosen Chairman, Ralph McGee of Sutter Creek as Vice Chairman, Wallace Jones of Jackson, Secretary; John D. Colbert of Amador City, Treasurer. The Executive committee consisted of George Ross of Jackson, Clarence Ferretti of Sutter Creek, Lester Wheeler of Plymouth, S. Scapucino of Volcano and Ray Miner of Ione. Amador was chosen as the name of the post.

On October 20, 1919 Amador Post No. 108 was chartered by the American Legion. There was a total of 31 charter members.

A second meeting was held at the courthouse in Jackson on October 28, 1919 and 41 new members joined making a total of 72 members.

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Amador Post No. 108 participated in a Welcome Home Parade held in Jackson, Ca on November 11, 1919. Many ex-service men attended the parade wearing their Legion pins.

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(Click on photo to enlarge)

By January 1920 Amador Post No. 108 had a total of 140 members and by September 1920, over 180 active members. November 2, 1920, Ralph McGee resigned as Vice Commander of the Post upon being elected to the 16th Assembly District. 

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On June 4, 1926 the Post dedicated a plaque to the Men of Amador County who died in the world war. The plaque was placed on the wall of the community well located in front of the courthouse in Jackson.

In the late 1940's the well was dismantled and the plaque was relocated to the "Rock" in Sutter Creek where it still remains today.

(Click on photo to enlarge)

Source: Amador Dispatch May 24, 1929

Source: Amador Dispatch September 6, 1929

In a meeting held at the end of May 1929, Amador Post No. 108 adopted a resolution to start a campaign to raise funds for an ambulance to serve the people of Amador County.

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An ambulance fund was setup and efforts were raise the money to purchase an ambulance where in full swing. Buy the end of July, the post raised enough money to purchase the ambulance. It was purchased through A.L. Davies (auto dealership) in Jackson for $3,351.00

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The ambulance arrived on August 30, 1929 and within weeks it was being utilized.

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The post continued the ambulance fund to help support it's operation. Although every post member that volunteered to operate the ambulance did not receive any reimbursement, there were still operating cost to provide this free service to Amador County.

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In 1933, the post instituted the "membership ticket" program. The annual subscription for the tickets were sold for $3.00 and all the proceeds went to the ambulance fund.

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For more on the History of the Ambulance Service (click here)

January 30, 1937 Amador Post No. 108, American Legion Incorporated as a 501(c)19 non profit organization.

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In July of 1950, Amador Post 108 acquired a lot just south of the Forestry station off of highway 49. They formed a building committee to start construction on their new home. Through fundraisers over the the years, the Legion Hall was finally completed and the first event took place on April 5, 1952.

Left to Right Front row - Don Vicini, Unknown, Butch Martin (child), 

Left to Right Back row - Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Walter Rhodes, Paul Davalle,