American Legion inside the North Trafford Station
This photo was taken inside the old North Trafford Train Station and was saved by former Trafford American Legion Post Commander David Paola. The train station was built in 1905 and used as a passenger station until about 1922. It was constructed with a brick exterior and finished on the inside with hardwood trimmings. The men in the photo have not been identified, but it’s most likely a group of Legion post members sharing a beer as this former train station was rented to the American Legion beginning in 1934, the year after prohibition was lifted.
The man in the suit is toasting his beer to the man sitting at the piano. Compare the shoes of these two men, it’s a good analogy for American Legion members who come from different walks, but share a common bond. Then you have the bartender in his apron pouring a beer as the next man watches the pour. And finally, the man on the far right looks like he was repairing the sink when the photographer said, “Hey, get in this photo.” It would be great if anyone here may recognize any of the men in this Legion photo.
Other observations: The beer sign on top of the piano was from the Moose Brewing Company, Roscoe PA. Hanging on the wall behind the Coke advertisement is a Miss America Pageant yard long photo, possibly one from Atlantic City. Trafford had one resident, Thelma Williams who competed in the 1926 contest.
The American Legion held its annual ceremony on Monday, May 31, 2021, at the Veterans Memorial Park.
