American Legion Post #137 was chartered in 1919 shortly after World War I to promote their ideas and rights, and to provide fellowship and social contacts for veterans. Until the VFW building was completed in 1949, they held meetings in various homes and business in town.

The American Legion Auxiliary was also formed in 1919, and over the years, many hours were spent rolling bandages and sewing carpet rages to be used in making rag rugs in the rehabilitation department. Poppies were sold to call attention to the sacrifices made by the men and women who have served our country in wartime, and to provide a source of income for the disabled veterans who create the poppies.

The Auxiliary sponsored delegates to the Sunflower Girls State on the KU campus. They plan and carry out a Memorial Day service at the cemetery to honor veterans of all wars.

785-332-3960

Saturday in the Park: Approximately 150 cars come to Sawhill Park in downtown St. Francis the 2nd Saturday in May. There are door prizes, raffle items, t-shirts. The top 30 plaque and special awards are given out. The St. Francis Chamber serves a meal and helps with the day.

The club gives scholarships to local graduating seniors. This year a donation was made to the Sawhill Park flag fund.

To improve wildlife habitat and provide educational classes for hunting, fishing and other outdoor sports in Cheyenne County.

Wednesday and Sunday night activities at the Club House located south of St Francis may include trap and rifle range events. Contact a board member for more information on scheduled events.

In 1987 the Cheyenne County History Book was published. Ye Olde Country Church, which was built in 1914, and named Immanuel Lutheran Church, near Haigler, NE was sold to South Fork Friends Church in 1951, then was given to the Historical Society in 1988. In 1991 the second half of the museum, named theHarvey Addition, was added on for more display and storage.

In 2001, the 1935 Republican River Flood Book was published, and in 2002 a Cheyenne County Burials Book, dating from 1885 to 2002, was published. A Veterans Book of the 20th Century is planned to be published in 2004.

Guild members have helped purchase equipment and furnishings for the hospital and clinic including lobby furniture, walkers, oxygen equipment and individual wall blood pressure units. They have hosted open houses and receptions for doctors, the hospital and the clinic. At meetings, members stay informed with health related programs. They provide valuable assistance to the medical staff and the medical facilities.

Windmill Restaurant; 7:00 p.m., second & fourth Monday of every month

Lions International is the world’s largest service organization, with 1.4 million members in 191 countries and areas. Lions stands for “Liberty, Intelligence - Our Nation’s Safety.”

The St. Francis Lions Club was organized in 1951. The original charter document, listing the 31 charter members, is still on display at the club's current meeting place, The Windmill Restaurant. With a focus on community service projects, the Lions have served the St. Francis community in many ways.

Some of the remembered projects are: a picnic shelter at the city park and many tables and benches throughout town; buying glasses for needy students, giving birthday balloons and treats to Good Samaritan Village residents; delivering Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets to needy families; one $500 scholarship to a senior in each graduating class; a Goodwill Drive in the community each year; help on the sprinkling system and other projects at the hospital; operating the tubs-o’-fun and train rides at the Cheyenne County Fair; provided a drinking fountain on Main Street; sponsored the Health Screening bus and helped with blood-typing and Bloodmobile; collecting and re-cycle eye glasses and hearing aids.

Founded in 1951 in St. Francis, the St. Francis Music Club is a part of the National Federation of Music Clubs, an organization dedicated to bringing the spiritualizing force of music to the inner life of the nation.

In 1945, a group of veterans met to organize VFW Post #1528. In 1949 the VFW building on Washington Street was completed.

For many years, the Post conducted an annual Christmas turkey bingo to raise money for various projects. Marble tournaments were held and a local winner was sent to the state VFW marble tournament in 1954, where he was named champion. Members also sold Capper Publications.

Post #1528 sponsored projects included scholarships for high school graduates, wheel chairs and crutches for community needs, playground equipment in the park north of the courthouse and two Remington single-shot rifles that were given to the Boy Scouts for use on the rifle range. Membership declined and Post #1528 sold their building to the City of St. Francis in 2002 to be used as a City Hall.

In 1945 a group of women met to organize the women's auxiliary to Post #1528. Mothers, wives, sisters and daughters of overseas veterans were eligible for membership. The auxiliary presented many flags and scholarships to local youth.

The ladies have prepared and served many banquets for a number of organizations and groups. Before the high school cafeteria was completed, the willing women served the athletic banquets. Floats, funeral dinners, monetary gifts, patriotic materials, flag etiquette, playground equipment, poppies, veteran hospitals and the National Home are part of the history of Ladies' Auxiliary to VFW Post #1528.

The Western Plains Arts Association is a non-profit community organization committed to bringing quality performing arts entertainment to Cheyenne, Rawlins, Decatur, Sherman, Thomas, Sheridan, Wallace, Logan, and Gove counties in northwest Kansas.