About Us
The Los Altos Post 558 was formed in 1938 by World War I Veterans from the community, who built the main hall and opened the doors in 1940. The clubroom and bar were added in 1948. The Post was originally named after resident Lt. Col. John J. Howard, an illustrious Spanish-American war hero. In 2006, the Post was renamed to reflect the location in Los Altos.
In 2022-23 the Clubroom was remodeled and fitted with a new bar, luxury vinyl flooring, AV equipment, handicap access to the main hall, and two remodeled bathrooms including one with ADA access for all. The main hall has wood floors and has been used for decades for dance, exercise, martial arts, meetings, dinners, parties, celebration of life, Scout activities, and more. The outdoor plaza has two granite benches, a Little Library, a flagbox for residents to retire old flags, and the original 24 foot flagpole with American and POW/MIA flags that are illuminated at night. A recent donation of a Bear sculpture wearing the patches of the five military service branches was added n 2022.
Veterans from Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, Palo Alto, and Sunnyvale meet regularly on the first Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. with social time at 6 p.m. The Post focuses on services to Veterans, Community & Children & Youth.
Historical Landmark
The Post was granted historical landmark status by the City of Los Altos on March 8, 2022. The Post was instrumental in the founding of the City as the place where the town organizational meetings were held and was a valuable resource to the community for over 83 years. Mayors, Senators and President Carter have visited or attended meetings at the Post.
In 2022, the Post began expanding its existing disaster preparedness services to become the first "node" as a care and comfort refuge for the residents and employees in the town's Neighborhood Emergency Network. These improvements were incorporated into the first phase of remodeling the Clubroom. The second phase will be the main hall.
The Post completed remodeling the Clubroom in 2023, and will begin fundraising for a new roof and other Main Hall improvements. Now that construction is completed, the Post is actively seeking new rentals for both classes and events in the Main Hall and Clubroom. Donations for the new roof may be made to the Los Altos American Legion Charities, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, by mail to 347 First Street, Los Altos, CA 94022.
For more information, contact Ken Newman, ken558d13@gmail.com or (650) 906-8978.