American Legion building goes up for auction

DERRY — A downtown landmark is going on the auction block.

The Lester Chase Post 9 American Legion building at 13 East Broadway will go up for auction Saturday, May 3.

The auction begins at 1 p.m.

The building was built in 1950. Local Legion members used the building regularly until about eight years ago. Only sporadic events or meetings are held there.

The hall has been for sale for several years.

The hall is assessed at $421,900, according to town records.

Legion member Bruce Alger said right now members share space with the nearby Veterans of Foreign Wars post home on Railroad Avenue.

Many Legion members are also VFW members, he said, and it’s a good collaboration and use of the space.

“We’ve worked together for years,” Alger said.

He said it’s getting more difficult to maintain the 4,664-square-foot building with the number of members currently on the books. Many members are getting older and there are often not enough younger members getting involved in the life of the Legion.

Right now, Alger said it’s often difficult to pay the taxes and do the upkeep. It’s time to say goodbye.

“It just makes no sense to continue,” he said. “But it’s going to be hard to see it go. It’s a shame.”