The building that has been the headquarters of the Pottsville Catholic War Veterans Post 1051 for the past 49 years is on the market, Leo F. Haley, post commander, said Monday.
So is the 1.8 acres of property, including the parking lot the “Pottsville War Veterans Association” owns at North 19th Street at First Avenue, according to Edward C. Schwartz, president of the post’s home association.
The post closed on June 5 and went up for sale. The list price is $219,900, according to www.schuylkillrealty.com.
Lack of membership and funds are the reasons why, Haley, 81, said.
“Our members pay their dues, but the majority of that money goes to the state and national headquarters to support the organization, assessments to the national and state boards,” Schwartz, 71, said.
Today, the post has 78 regular members, who are veterans and pay $30 in dues per year, and “about 82” social members who pay $20 in dues per year, according to Haley and Schwartz.
“The only other income we had was here,” Haley said, referring to the clubhouse bar.
“And that has gone down,” Schwartz said.
“We were only open two, three days a week,” Haley said.
“Lately it was just Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. Sometimes we’d have two or three people here. It wasn’t like it was years ago,” Schwartz said.
“And, frankly, we couldn’t afford the insurance,” Haley said.
Founded in 1935, the Catholic War Veterans of America Inc. is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
Post 1051 in Pottsville was established Dec. 10, 1946.
“Originally we met in the Russell Building at Saint John’s Church, next to the school,” Haley said.
According to the online Schuylkill Parcel Locator, the post acquired more than 14 acres of property at North 19th Street at First Avenue in October 1951.
The post built the clubhouse at 1860 First Ave. in 1967, according to the parcel locator.
And for many years, the post was known as the largest post of the Catholic War Veterans in the United States, according to the archives of The Pottsville Republican.
“We had in excess of 1,000 members,” Haley said.
“That was back in the early ’70s,” Schwartz said.
In 1985, the post had 471 paid members, according to the newspaper’s archives.
“At the time, we had a playground. And the insurance with the playground got astronomical,” Haley said.
In 1989, the post put sections of the property up for sale, according to a December 1990 edition of the newspaper.
“It was just parcels,” Schwartz said.
In 1990, city officials talked about acquiring parts of it for a park. At the time, city Councilman William C. Reiley, the city’s director of recreation, suggested it could be used for a multi-purpose athletic field where sports and concerts could be held.
In August 1991, the city offered to buy 11.6 acres of the property for $75,000, but the veterans rejected the offer, according to the newspaper’s archives.
In October 1997, the post celebrated its 50th anniversary. At the time, it had a membership of 232.
In April 1998, the post sold 9.08 acres for $110,000 to the firm which established Providence Place of Pottsville, according to the newspaper’s archives.
In 2004, the post sold 3.3 acres of its property to The Railway Park Little League for $50,000, according to the online Schuylkill Parcel Locator.
Today, the clubhouse sits on 1.8 acres owned by “Pottsville War Vet Assoc. Inc.,” according to the parcel locator.
“It’s basically the building where we’re sitting, the grotto and the parking lot,” Schwartz said.
Despite changing times, Haley and Schwartz said they will work to keep Pottsville Catholic War Veterans Post 1051 going.
If the post clubhouse is sold, the organization will continue to hold its monthly meetings at the AMVETS at 1300 Seneca St., Haley said. “We hold our meetings on the last Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m.,” Haley said.
“If this building isn’t sold, we can still meet here,” Schwartz said, referring to the clubhouse.
The post’s liquor license will not be part of the sale, Haley said.
“The liquor license is going to go into escrow,” Schwartz said.
“That means it’s in limbo,” Haley said.
“I think you can leave it in escrow for six months to a year,” Schwartz said.
“I think it’s a year,” Haley said.
“That’s in case we decide to find a little place to serve alcohol,” Schwartz said.
“But I don’t see that happening,” Haley said.
“With liquor laws and everything the way it is today, and the insurance,” Schwartz said.
“That’s why our insurance is so high. Liquor liability is astronomical,” Haley said.
The realtor’s website includes a description of the clubhouse: “The space is marvelous for many different uses ... dance studio, gym, catering, day care, studio ... use your imagination. There is also a paved parking lot that would house 30-40 vehicles. The lower level is open as well for additional space. Each floor has a bar and commercial baths. There is central air (2 units), electric heat, deco fireplace on the main floor, walk-in cooler in the lower level and a minimal kitchen. This is in a residential area of the Yorkville section of Pottsville with Providence Place and Railway Park as your neighbors. Variance is most likely going to be needed.”
Schwartz said he didn’t know of any interested parties as of Monday afternoon.