VFW Hall - Archive

Across the street from the Roanoke Inn stands another Mercer Island landmark, the VFW Hall, which started its life as the  Keewaydin Club. In 1922 North Side residents decided that the community needed a building strictly for social  purposes--parties, dances, meetings, etc. That June all available men cleared the lot and poured concrete, and on a single day, July 1, hauled about 60,000 feet of lumber and 58,000 shingles up a steep slope from the barge that had brought the cargo from Seattle.

The volunteer builders called it the Keewaydin Club. To the early Indian tribes Keewaydin meant "the north wind"  or the "home wind," for when the wind blew from that direction  the trail led home.

About 15 to 20 years later the building became known as the Mercer Island Community Club where residents met to discuss the problems facing the growing community, the problems ranging from roads and water lines to street ends and ferry docks. Social events continued, including a big dance each month.  In 1966 VFW Post  No. 5760 bought the building. The Mercer Island Community Club merged with the South End Club. The VFW members remodeled the building extensively and continues to rent it out to social and civic groups today.

In the spring of 2001 the Mercer Island Historical Society placed a plaque outside the building. The plaque was made possible by a donation by Hunter Simpson.

*The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Post No 5760, was chartered shortly after the termination of World War II. Principal organizers were Nelson Rochester, Ben Jacobsen, and Harry Marshall. Chris Lillions was the first post commander in 1945-46. The group's purpose is fraternal, patriotic, historical, and educational.