American Legion William Chandler Peterson Post 171
We continue a legacy of service to veterans and their families in the Crystal Lake, IL area.
About Us
Post 171 has a long history of dedicated service to the Crystal Lake community and greater McHenry County area. In recent years, Post 171 has reorganized its supporting activities to further its current mission: increasing community engagement with veterans.
Several events have been created to assist local veterans and help connect them with area resources to improve their quality of life after discharge. A particular emphasis has been placed on suicide prevention and the underserved population of female veterans.
National statistics indicate veteran suicide rates are reaching epidemic proportions. Each day, 22 veterans take their own life. For a larger picture, the number of war casualties recorded after 9/11 is approximately 7,000. The number of veterans who have taken their own lives during that same period of time has reached 30,000.
With those statistics in mind, Post 171 has created the annual Vets 4 Veterans’ Families and Blue Families In its inaugural year in 2021, 300 people attended the event, including 150 veterans.
In 2022, the event was well-attended and included photos and video captured by the national American Legion organization.
This free, family-focused community event provides educational workshops and speakers dedicated to topics such as PTSD, veteran suicide and impact on families. A gathering tent for veterans and spouses, called the Coffee Café, helps initiate conversations between those who have shared military/combat experiences. A female-only tent provides a safe space for women veterans to share their experiences.
Kids’ activities, music, food trucks, motorcycles/classic cars and equine therapy organizations also are part of the event. By inviting and including First Responders and their families, Post 171 hopes to further support those who fight for and protect their community.
Walk a Mile in Her Boots is another event dedicated to the recognition of female veterans. In August, 50 women veterans decorate their combat boots and line them along a mile-long path, with event-goers encouraged to walk a mile – or more – to recognize and honor the women who have fought for their country. Walk a Mile in Her Boots is co-sponsored by Operation Wild Horse, a program of Veterans R&R in Bull Valley, which hosts the event.
This September, Post 171 hosts a Women Veterans Business Event as an aggregator of affinity groups for women veterans. Here, women are encouraged to find like-minded sisters through various activities such as yoga, crafts, cooking, etc., and engage in conversation, female veteran to female veteran. Networking and business connections will be encouraged to build awareness of those women who have served in our military.
Mission Statement
“To enhance the well-being of America’s veterans, their families, our military, and our communities by our devotion to mutual helpfulness. ”
The American Legion's mission statement, as adopted by the National Executive Committee in October 2020, is:
“The American Legion: Veterans Strengthening America.”
The American Legion's vision statement is:
To Become a Member
If you have served at least one day of active military duty since December 7, 1941 and were honorably discharged or you are still serving active military duty honorably, you are eligible for membership with The American Legion. Crystal Lake American Legion Post 171 enthusiastically welcomes new members. Come join our post for camaraderie with fellow veterans and to participate in a variety of community activities in support of veterans causes. To join our post, you can apply for membership here or email legionpostcl171@gmail.com and we will send an application form to you. If you use the online application, please note that you wish to join Crystal Lake Post 171.
The Crystal Lake American Legion meets at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the Crystal Lake County Club. New members are requested to contact us prior to their first meeting.
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Contact Us
Need to connect? See our Contact page
Our History
The American Legion is America’s largest veterans service organization. Organized by veterans of World War I and chartered in September 1919 by Congress, it has always focused on service to veterans, servicemembers and communities. Today, the American Legion has nearly 2 million members spread across more than 13,000 posts worldwide.
The Crystal Lake American Legion Post #171 also was chartered in September 1919. It was named after Lt. William Chandler Peterson, a Crystal Lake native who was killed in action during the battle of Chateau Thierry, France, on June 6, 1918 – just before the end of World War I. He was 23 years old.
The post’s first meeting took place on Friday evening, Sept. 5, 1919, in the Commercial Club room following the Crystal Lake Homecoming celebration.
Capt. Harry D. Hull, a beloved local physician who, at the age of 50, volunteered to serve in the Medical Corps during World War I, organized the 31 men who signed the post’s charter on Sept. 24, 1919. He served as its first commander, from 1919 to 1921.
Even early on, the post was very active in civic affairs. In 1929, post members decided to give the community an “ultra-modern home embodying all the latest innovations, and the Legionnaires would built (sic) it themselves.” The model home opened to the public June 15, 1929, and by Sept. 5, 67,000 people had toured the home, located at 520 Crystal Lake Ave. It succeeded in bringing people from all over to see Crystal Lake as a good place to live.
Later that year, the post was influential in getting a petition signed to pave Dole Avenue.
By the 1930s, Post 171 was known for sponsoring many community events and social functions, including the American Legion’s Festival at the Lake, known at the time as one of the greatest attractions in northern Illinois. Such good regional rapport led Crystal Lake to host the 14th annual 11th District Legion Convention in 1936, which saw 1,000 in attendance.
\Voters approved a home/land gift from the Legion in May 1940, which was to be used as a public library and Post 171 headquarters. However, the Sills property on Elmhurst Street – which had a donation price tag of $6,200 for the home/land and $2,000 for remodeling – was rejected by the City Council because it would have caused too much traffic congestion in the area. Later, property on Paddock Street – donated by Post 171 – was accepted for the build, and the Crystal Lake Library remains there to this day.
By 1943, Post 171 had 135 members; county Legion membership reached 1,074.
Just two years later, on Thursday, Aug. 23, 1945, 400 people gathered at Depot Park to mark the end of the war with Japan.
In the fall of 1946, the Legion realized it had outgrown its previous meeting locations, including the Odd Fellow Lodge Hall next to the Pingry Hotel. The post purchased the former Randall Farm property on the corner of Woodstock and Oak streets from E.F. Bessey. The home was “one of the finest in the community,” and had ample space for meetings, club rooms and storage. A “beautiful white barn and large grounds to meet every need” also were included in the purchase.
By its 30th birthday in 1949, Post 171 had grown to 334 members.
In 1954, Legionnaires spent $60,000 to build a large addition to the northwest side of the original Randall house, which was described as “a big hall with a stage, modern kitchen, other facilities which will seat from 400-450 persons.” The post utilized the space personally while also renting it to the public.
The 1950s, ’60s and ’70s led many local men to fight in the Korean War and Vietnam War. Post 171 continued to assist veterans and their families, and after those tours were over, interest in the Legion surged. By 1986, membership had reached 471.
In 1998, the Crystal Lake Park District purchased the Randall house and converted it into a banquet facility known as Park Place. The post continued to host meetings within the building for some time.
In recent years, Post 171 has recommitted itself to becoming a viable resource to veterans, specifically female veterans. Post-Covid activities have steadily increased, and Legionnaires are as dedicated as ever to reaching veterans, servicemembers and communities.
Today, Post 171 continues serving veterans. Meetings take place at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the Crystal Lake County Club. To learn more about membership, click here.
To learn more about the history of the American Legion, visit https://www.legion.org/history.
*Historical information provided by Crystal Lake Historical Society and Patch.com
September, 1919
The Crystal Lake American Legion Post #171 was chartered
June, 1927
43 women chartered The Crystal Lake American Legion Auxiliary Post #171
Wives, mothers and daughters of servicemen organized together to help needy families, engage in Red Cross endeavors and aid any project benefiting the community. Members also helped returning veterans by making lap robes and scuffies for them and entertaining vets at VA hospitals.
August, 1946
Post #171 acquires a home
In August, 1946, the American Legion Post #171 decided to purchase the former Randall property at the corner of Woodstock and Oak Streets. The house was described as, “one of the finest in the community and is large and spacious. It will provide a meeting place, club rooms and space for other needs.”.
1986
Membership swells to 471
In the mid-1980s, Post #171 membership reached nearly 500, as Vietnam War veterans began participating.
June, 2021
Inaugural Vets 4 Veterans’ Families and Blue Families takes place
Post #171 hosted 300 individuals, including 150 veterans, at its first family-focused community event to connect local veterans with resources for post-deployment, including equine therapy organizations, VA hospital personnel and more.
Recent Photos
