Historic American Legion Post 168
Historic American Legion Post 168
American Legion Post 168, 803 Emma Street, Bahama Village.
The American Legion Post 168 is located at 803 Emma Street in Bahama Village. Its rich history begins with its namesake, William Weech, a black Key Wester who perished aboard the USCGC Tampa which sunk off the coast of Wales during WWI. Dr. Nancy Moulton, a self-proclaimed “fix-it” person, is the current Commander. In 2012, Post 168 was added to the National register of Historic Places.
It has been termed by the long-time residents of Bahama Village as the “Black Town Hall” and the hub of every important community event for decades. Commander Moulton feels a strong bond with the community and the struggles of the veterans and their families. She admires the drive and determination that built Post 168.
Fred Covan with Post Commander Dr. Nancy Moulton
The American Legion was in its infancy and a very segregated society. It wasn’t until after WWII that the American Legion granted a charter for Post 168. Following the end of WWII, while renting space on Thomas and Angela streets in Bahama Village, the membership tripled for Post 168.
It’s members consisted of carpenters, plumbers and such. Many worked for the Navy at the sub base during the day and, later, would work on the new Post 168 at night. Work was completed at the 803 Emma Street location on December 11, 1952. Segregation was still alive and well in the 1950s Key West. The ties between veterans would often transcend these cultural barriers. It became the home of both American Legion Post 168 and VFW Post 6021 and support often came from the white only VFW Post in Key West.
During these segregated times, the “Chitlin Circuit”, a network of black entertainment venues developed in response to the Jim Crow South. It would quite often bring famous black entertainers to Key West who performed for the black audiences not allowed in the segregated clubs and theaters. Robert Albury and Coffee Butler both confirmed that Louis Armstrong performed at the VFW (a name that was often used for the combo American Legion Post 168/VFW Post 6021). Many other famous performers would venture to Key West and find themselves in Post 168.
One of Larry Smith’s Jazz Monday sessions.
Local promoter Bob Brown would bring the Chitlin Circuit entertainers to Post 168. He would sell tables inside the Post for $15 to $20 to help pay the entertainers. The Chitlin Circuit really ended in Miami but most entertainers would prefer to get another gig before returning North. Key West was a long way but most of the black clubs in Miami and elsewhere did not have the large stage, dressing rooms, sound and lighting facilities like Post 168. Once the rumors spread on the Chitlin Circuit about this black facility in Key West, it was an easy sell. The Little Charles Hotel then on Galveston Lane hosted many of the groups. It was said that “James Brown loved their Conch Fritters”.
A forty-nine-year American Legion Post 168 member and former Post Commander, Glenwood Lopez (yes, Clayton’s brother) kept a list of many of the stars that graced the stage of this famous venue. According to Glenwood, B.B. King, James Brown (several visits), Otis Redding, Debbie Wright, Della Humphrey, Ben E. King (“Stand By Me”), Sam and Dave (“Hold On”), Millie Jackson, and the great Etta James (“At Last”) all performed inside Post 168. Rumor has it that Duke Ellington fit a portion of his big band on that stage. Glenwood has been a member of the Post since 1976 long after the Chitlin Circuits but remembers peaking in the window to watch these entertainers when he was too young to enter.
Re-opening after renovations February 22, 2020.
Bahama Village has always been the center of music in Key West. Miss Ellen Welters Sanchez taught piano for over 70 years in Bahama Village. She taught the great Fats Navarro, her godson legendary Coffee Butler, Harry Chipchase, Edwar Weech, and Billy Austin, a songwriter that moved to LA and co-wrote a 1943 Jazz hit “Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby”. The great King of Soul, Robert Albury and vocalist Cliff Sawyer were raised in Bahama Village along with many others.
Post 168 is located next to the former Lincoln Theater that use to show movies in Bahama Village (now artist John Martini’s Studio). After desegregation and the end of the Chitlin Circuit, the Post fell on hard times and it’s been difficult to keep the doors open. The Bahama Village Redevelopment Advisory Committee (BVRAC) and the City of Key West provided enough support to renovate and reopen the Post.
Re-opening after renovations February 22, 2020.
Renovations of Post 168 were completed and it was re-opened by Coffee Butler on February 22, 2020 just before COVID shut the world down. It’s was a great night of music and fun with a dozen or more Key West musicians coming out to support this reopening to a packed house. Post 168 can still boast the best dance floor of any venue in Key West. They have installed new stage lighting and a very good sound system.
Larry Smith has started a Monday Jazz Jam that usually ends up with a dozen musicians and vocalists performing to a packed house. Wednesday is Ladies Night when Larry Smith features two female vocalists. Larry Baeder and Terri White have music performances every Thursday night which often include several other jazz musicians. Friday is Bingo Night and afterwards, a wonderful Soul Review with Clayton Lopez. Jessica Wachs hosts a Jazz Review on Saturdays. Saturdays also hosts featured bands.
Post 168 can be rented for private events at a reasonable cost. Contact Dr. Nancy Moulton at 703-626-0600 for pricing and schedule. Anyone considering a birthday party or other event should consider renting American Legion Post 168. Also located at Post 168 is the Key West Cultural Center & Veterans Museum, a 501(c)(3) started by Commander Mouton.
This veteran and author is one of their newest members and hope some other Vets will join the Post with me.
Forty-Nine year member and former Post Commander Glenwood Lopez (blue shirt)
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