About American Legion Palm Springs Owen Coffman Post 519
Post namesake
2nd Lieutenant Owen Baylis Coffman, the son of our first commander and local business leader Earl Coffman
Notable Members
Lena Basilone, wife of World War Two Medal of Honor recipient John Basilone, USMC was a member of our auxiliary from 1947-1951. Former actor, tennis star and mayor Charlie Farrell was a member. We are the most famous for our nationally broadcast radio shows with Kraft Music Hour and Lucky Strike Show. Al Jolson, Judy Garland, Doris Day, Cary Grant, Groucho Marx, Jack Benny, Bing Crosby, Jerry Colonna and Bob Hope are some of the few Hollywood greats performed from our stage.
What Makes this Post Unique
The Palm Springs American Legion Post 519 has been a part of our community since 1934. It was founded by Earl Coffman, a World War One Veteran and co-manager of the famous Desert Inn owned, by his mother Palm Springs matriarch. Nellie Coffman.
First a little background information. Early meetings of the Palm Springs Legion were held at The Desert Inn. Later during World War Two, the legion moved into a temporary location at 193 Palm Canyon Drive called THE DUGGOUT; which served active duty soldiers, sailors airmen, and Marines during the war.
In April 1994, the Palm Springs American Legion was named in honor of 2ndLt Owen B. Coffman, the son of Helen and Earl Coffman and grandson of Nellie Coffman. A B-17 bomber pilot, Owen was killed in action on his second mission and is buried at the American Military Cemetery in Cambridge, England.
Shortly after Owen's death, the American Legion made plans to build a permanent Wars Memorial Building in Palm Springs. On lands donated by Nellie Coffman and Pearl McManus, construction for the Legion began in the summer of 1947 and was dedicated on January 3rd. 1948.
The contractor was Ryland Pinkard, a well-known local contractor who wanted to build the Legion in honor of his son, platoon sergeant Earle Pinkard, a U.S. Marine killed in Saipan in June 1944.
The Architects were John Porter Clark and Albert
Frey. The building located at 400 N. Belardo Road, is a pre-modernistic gem that incorporates many mid-century features. The interior was designed with a unique "Lamella" ceiling that is now considered rare for Southern, California.
Additionally, from 1948 to 1953, dozens and dozens of Hollywood greats performed live on the legion's stage to nationally broadcast audiences. Some of these celebrities include Bob Hope, Jerry Cotona, Al Jolson, Doris day, Judy Garland, Cary Grant, Jack Benny, local celebrity mayor Charles Farrell and many many others.
In 1999, the Palm Springs American Legion was declared a Class One Historic Site (HSPB-36). However, since the dedication of the legion in 1948 it is starting to show its age. In order to raise funds for a complete restoration, I helped create Owen Coffman Memorial Building Restoration Foundation.
Still in its infancy, the OCMBRF has one primary purpose: to restore our post to its 1948 glory with modern amenities with a 1940s USO theme.
