LOMPOC VETERANS MEMORIAL BUILDING FOUNDATION
FRANK
L. GRUBE, TREASURER
100 EAST LOCUST AVENUE
LOMPOC,
CA. 93436-7845
805 740 1804
flgrube1@aol.com
I am pleased
to submit this inquiry from the Lompoc Veterans Memorial Building Foundation, requesting your support for the rehabilitation
and preservation of our historic Veterans Memorial Building. The California State Office of Historic Preservation has placed the Lompoc Veterans Memorial Building on the California
Register of Historic Places. This office has also found that the Memorial Building is eligible for the National Register of
Historic Places. The Facility Assessment of
Condition Report, prepared by a Santa Barbara architectural firm in 2007, lists specific projects and areas that require
funding. A few projects are estimated in excess of $100,000 and are still available for financial assistance. The building rehab will require about $4 million which will be funded
by corporation and foundation grants, local, state and federal appropriations.
The Lompoc Veterans Memorial
Building was constructed in 1936 as part of the WPA initiative on property partially donated to the County of Santa Barbara
by the American Legion Post 211. The 20,000 square foot building is a fine example of California Spanish Revival architecture,
typical in the region and throughout Southern California. For the most part the building remains as it was originally built
with only minor modifications. It was designated a City of Lompoc Historic Landmark in 1989 and, as such, can not be demolished,
removed or destroyed by City proclamation. The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors supported this action. Application
has been made to list the Veterans Memorial Building as a National Historic Landmark. The interior has two artistic displays
of La Purisima Mission that are signed and dated 1936 by artists commissioned by President Franklin Roosevelt’s Federal
Art Project. Historical records and logs show during World War 2 the four story tower in the center of the building was manned
as a lookout position watching for Japanese aircraft. More pictures can be seen on the website:
http://flgrube1.tripod.com/lvmbf
The Veterans Memorial
Building is home to the following Veteran organizations: American Legion Post 125 and Womens Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign
Wars Post 1717 and Womens Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 570 and Womens Auxiliary, Boots and Chutes (a military
funeral detachment), American Legion Post 211 Womens Auxiliary, American GI Forum and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 91.
American Legion Post 125 is located on the second floor with a social room. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1717 is located
in the basement and also maintains a social room. The 4th District County Supervisor and her staff have offices
in the east wing.
The authorized capacity
of the building has the Auditorium seating 300 people for meals or 650 with auditorium style seating, the Banquet Hall would
seat about 230 and the rest of the building could have anywhere from 70 to 300 occupants, making a maximum total occupant
load of 1,180 persons. The first floor consisting of the Auditorium, Banquet Hall, Trophy Room and kitchen are available for
community activities with a reasonable rental fee. Functions such as high school proms, veteran events, weddings, community
organizational functions are scheduled frequently.
The Lompoc Veterans Memorial
Building Foundation is a not-for-profit public charity 501(c)(3), 26-3087667, corporation organized to provide for the long-term
preservation, conservation and education of the historic Lompoc Veterans Memorial Building as legacy to the community. Membership
on the Board of Trustees consists of veterans from various organizations and interested civic-minded citizens. Members are
volunteers and do not receive any salary or benefits. All contributions are programmed for the goal of total restoration and
preservayion.
Your organization’s name, address, telephone number, contact person,
e-mail address and Web site URL.
Frank Grube; Treasurer, Board of Trustees
Lompoc Veterans Memorial Building Foundation
100 E. Locust Avenue
Lompoc. Ca. 93436-7845
(805) 740-1804
flgrube1@aol.com
Alice Milligan; Chairperson, Board of Trustees
Lompoc Veterans Memorial Building Foundation
100 E. Locust Avenue
Lompoc, Ca. 93436-7845
(805) 736-4005
amill2@verizon.net
A brief description of
your organization’s history, purpose and goals.
The Lompoc Veterans
Memorial Building Foundation is a not-for-profit public charity 501(c)(3), 26-3087667, corporation organized to provide for
the long-term preservation, conservation and education of the historic Lompoc Veterans Memorial Building as legacy to the
community.
