Turnbow-Higgs American Legion Post 240 was charted in 1920, and originally named after local Marine Ammon Turnbow who had passed away in November 1918. The post underwent a name change in 1947, in part to honor those killed in WWII and specifically Army Air Corps veteran John Fielding Higgs, (son of Rufus F. Higgs, one of the founders and long-time publisher of The Empire-Tribune) who was killed on a bombing mission over Germany. The property having been donated by James Thomas Cantrell of Santo, and with money pledged by members of Post 240, a working arrangement and assurances were received from President Roosevelt's New Deal Programs (National Youth Administration & Works Progress Administration). Ground was broken for the American Legion Post 240 building in September 1938 with 17th Congressional District Congressman Clyde Garrett turning the first spade of dirt. Plans for the building were drawn by architect Wyatt C. Hendrick of Fort Worth, and construction was supervised by Kenneth Stephens of Dublin. Building construction was completed in 1940 and occupied in early 1941. A $95,000 renovation and restoration project was completed in 1990.
To the citizens of Stephenville, Texas and the surrounding area, your patronage helps us to continue sponsoring Scholarships for our children; give aid and assistance to our local veterans, and their families. Help us to continue to support financially worthy community programs and projects.
You can help support Turnbow-Higgs programs with your donation.
PREAMBLE TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE AMERICAN LEGION
FOR GOD AND COUNTRY WE ASSOCIATE OURSELVES TOGETHER FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES:
To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America;
To maintain law and order;
To foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism;
To preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in all wars;
To inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state, and nation;
To combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses;
To make right the master of might;
To promote peace and goodwill on earth;
To safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom, and democracy;
To consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.
