Palm Valley Post #233 Some Post Home History American Legion Post #233 was chartered in March 1971. At the time a small building located on the intracoastal waterway (at the end of Canal Blvd) was being leased annually by the members. Since the building was a rental, a new building fund was established. In 1973 the members agreed to lease for another year, which included an increase for fire insurance coverage as well. There was always discussion about acquiring a new Post home and in May 1974 a decision came down to two locations, one of the properties was on ‘Nut Island’ (just south of the Palm Valley bridge) and the second was at 12 N. Wilderness Trail (later renumbered 560 due to E911). The Posts new building fund had just over $5,000 at the time and the membership agreed to mortgage the rest of the $29,000 purchase price. It was agreed to keep the payments to no more than $350 per month for repayment. The Palm Valley American Legion Building Corporation was formed of some member stockholders (sometime between May and June 1974). It is unsure exactly what date Post #233 on N. Wilderness Trail was officially occupied in 1974, however, ‘Open House’ invitations were mailed out in October 1974. It is also unclear what had transpired throughout the years between the corporation of stockholders and the post membership at large. Financial records aren’t readily available or even in existence any longer. Post meeting minutes make no mention of mortgage payments or other dealings with the internal stockholders. Eventually all loan(s) were paid and the landed properly deeded. St. Johns County records do show that a Quit-Claim Deed was filed on 31 December 1979 between Palm Valley American Legion Building Corporation and Palm Valley Post No. 233, The American Legion Inc. the following described land, 12 N. Wilderness Trail, St. Johns County, Florida. (Note: the street number 12 was changed to 560 when the 9-1-1 telephone system was instituted statewide.) The county records (2022) show that 560 N. Wilderness Trail is owned by Palm Valley Post #233, The American Legion Inc. Parcel ID # 06600500300. Roy Havekost, PC 2012-2015 former Post Historian 2016-17, 2020-21, May-Sep 2023 former Judge Advocate 2015-2023 Source: St. Johns County records Post 233 meeting minutes Recollections of some senior members