On Sept. 1, 2026, a piece of Legion history returned to Heyward Fields American Legion Post 239, in the form of a 3o-inch by 36-inch granite marker that had been found by the City of Dahlonega during cleanup of a storage building. The marker was originally part of the Legion Pool and was dedicated to the men from Lumpkin County who died in military service from World War I through Vietnam.
The Legion Pool was built in 1957 and dedicated on July 4, 1958. The marker was part of the dedication process (Vietnam was added later). Located at what is now Chik-Fil-A and the soon -to-be Express Oil, it was bult in the form of a modified key, rounded with a square area set aside for children. There was a platform diving board, with three levels: high, medium and low. It soon became the focal font for the summer for the citizens of Dahlonega and was famous for its size.
Unfortunately, problems began almost immediately after the dedication. The Legion had to take a bank loan out to pay for repairs. By the mid-'80s. the concrete and gunite lining had deteriorated. A fiberglass liner was installed. By 1995, two pumps had been replaced. Johnny Burt had welded patches on the filters to slow the leaks and eventually welded metal patches over the holes. By 1996, the filters were finished and could not be replaced. Still owing the bank for the fiberglass liner, it was decided to close the pool.
Walmart came to the rescue, purchasing a piece of Legion land for their entrance, and Guy Middleton, then a state senator, helped get a $12,500 Department of Natural Resources grant. Six new fiberglass filters were installed. The liner was patched and painted. And the pool was back in business.
The pool was finally closed in 1998. The Legion donated the money to build a new pool on Parks and Recreation land (where the Justice Building now stands). Parks and Recreation agreed to take over the upkeep. The marker was removed, placed in storage and forgotten until the city decided to clean the storage facility. When it was found, the Legion was contacted about whether they wanted it.
Thanks to a team of volunteer inmates from the County Jail, and Legionnaires Paul Hanson and Paul Wingo, a piece of Legion history has finally come home. It was broken into two pieces somewhere along the way, but it is there and will remain for future visitors to see.