The lot on which this two-story building was later constructed was bought by Robert K. Vanneman (1853-1912) in 1892. Vanneman had a career in banking, made many real estate investments, and served as Mayor from 1895-1900. In 1911, he sold this lot to Bernhardt Levy (1872-1960) and his wife. Bernhardt Levy was the son of Henry Levy who had begun the Levy’s Department Store in 1873.

In 1901, Bernhardt had acquired his father’s business and moved it to 328 St. John Street, which is located directly in front of 300 North Lodge Lane. He also manufactured a variety of clothing that was sold in the store. This building faced the rear of the Levy store on St. John Street. They may have used this as a warehouse or it may have had other uses by tenants. Bernhardt sold the Levy’s business (but not the St. John Street building) in 1945 to his son-in-law, Leonard Trout. The following year, 1946, Bernhardt sold this property to the Joseph L. Davis Post No. 47 of The American Legion.

The Legion, however, sold this building just one year later, having just purchased the much larger building at 501 North Union Avenue, the former Lafayette Hotel. Purchasers of this building in 1947 were Elias and Goldie Silverstein. Elias was the son of Joseph Silverstein (1910-1981) who began Joseph’s Department Store in 1937.

In 1951, the Weedon Elliott Post No. 8126, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Inc. bought this property from the Silversteins and have owned it ever since. The Post was named in honor of the first Havre de Grace Navy and Army servicemen to have died in 1944 during WWII—James A. Weedon and William S. Elliott respectively.

A lot of people in town still associate “The Poppy Lady” with the VFW. She was Bessie C. Hagan (1912-1992) and around Memorial Day every year from the 1960s through the 1980s Bessie would walk all over the town selling poppies for the VFW. Her grandson, Richard “Dickie” Hagan in Florida, says she was the most patriotic woman he ever knew. Gladys Stone even remembers Bessie coming into Vancherie’s Restaurant to sell the poppies—no doubt she went to other businesses too. Mildred Harrison also remembers Bessie as well as her mother, Gracie, with whom she worked at the phone company years ago.

County Records
2000 sq ft warehouse, exempt commercial, block exterior, 2580 sq ft lot.