Under the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation’s grant program, Secoy Architects, Inc. was selected by PSPF, and American Legion Post 519, to develop a preservation plan for the legion’s building at 400 North Belardo Road (facing the O’Donnell Golf Course and mountains).
American Legion Owen Coffman Post #519 (Class 1 Historic Site) is named after the first Palm Springs native killed in action during WWII. Radio Shows by Jack Benny, Bing Crosby, Al Jolson, and Doris Day were once broadcast from this building. The architectural style is considered “Late Moderne”. Although this building was designed and built in 1948, prior to the 1950’s and 60’s era, the building exemplifies mid-century modern design by use of the flat roof with emphasis placed upon horizontal lines. Characteristics include clean simple lines and the lack of ornamentation, and the design embodies cost effective materials that hold up to the desert elements. The preservation plan and design by Secoy Architects, Inc. pay homage to the original design by the architects John Porter Clark and Albert Frey.