1881
From Bank to Post Home
The building at 12 W. Main St was raised in 1881 as the home of Annan, Horner & Co., Emmitsburg's bank — a three-story red-brick Queen Anne landmark with a corner tower, tall bay windows, and a spire that still anchors the town square.
Generations later the bank became the Post's home, and the building traded ledgers for honours walls — but it has never stopped being the corner Emmitsburg gathers around.
The building in its banking years — a vintage postcard view.
The Annan, Horner & Co. bank building rises on the northwest side of Emmitsburg's square, at Main Street and Seton Avenue.
Down Main Street, Emmitsburg dedicates the "Spirit of the American Doughboy" statue to its World War I veterans — the first of sculptor E. M. Viquesney's versions. Memorial Day ceremonies still gather there, with the VFW and Legion firing volleys and playing taps.
Post 6658 carries "Memorial" in its name. Its bronze plaque names the town's World War I and World War II service members, and its interior honours walls extend the roll through Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq.
Out on Harney Road, Kump's Dam on Middle Creek began as a tannery-era mill dam and became a beloved local swimming hole — deep water and a diving board, in the town's memory. The Catoctin Banner records the park as owned by VFW Post 6658, which has maintained it for decades.
The square around the Post was revitalized with brick paving, street trees, and the town clock. The Post meets on the square October–April and at Kump's Dam Park May–September, hosts Bingo the second Friday of every month, and fills the park each August for the Crab Feed.
The square in an earlier era.
140+ Years
Still the Corner of Town
Banks close and stores change, but 12 W. Main has been in continuous public life for over 140 years. Today its ground floor holds the canteen and hall — walk-ins welcome, and the bar tender doubles as the Post's front desk for tickets, dues, and rental questions.