In 1922, while patriotism built up by WWI was extensive, some of our patriotic citizens felt that a suitable structure should be built to honor our veterans and to provide a place for their social and business gatherings. In 1924, a portion of the old central school grounds was purchased from the school board for the sum of $24,000 to provide a place for such a building. The architects hired were Schwartz and Ryland of Fresno, who were reputed to be the best in the area at that time. The architectural style is Classical Renaissance. Built between 1925 and 1926. It was dedicated in 1925 as a memorial and meeting place for veterans’ organizations of the area. The building cost $46,000 to construct. The Kings County Supervisors were very patriotic when they voted to build this memorial building.

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Within our county, there were two veterans’ buildings already in existence at the time. Lemoore and Corcoran veterans had constructed buildings themselves. (Corcoran taking over an existing building.) The building in Hanford had several "firsts" attached to it. It was the first veterans building in California, built from public funds. (The second was constructed in San Francisco.) Another first attached to the Veterans' Memorial Building is that it was the first "earthquake proof" building built in the state of California.

It-was built in double brick with steel, the first constructed in this manner has a partial basement and two floors. The second story is the hardwood maple floor. The exterior is nearly original, a front portico supported by four planes with a cast eagle.

The flooring makes a fine dance floor and is highlighted by columns and topped The stained glass window in the entry displays: American Legion Post 3. (San Francisco is Post 1, and Coalinga Post 2, while Fresno is Post 4.)

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At the time the government center moved to the Lacey Boulevard location, the control of the building was given to the city of Hanford. The city had no funds available for veterans, but did have for senior citizens.  Veterans and senior citizens shared the building to facilitate renovations. In 1981, the front steps were replaced with a ramp and the entrance was enlarged to accommodate wheelchairs. The antiquated boiler was replaced with a modern heat pump, and air conditioning was installed. The acoustical ceiling tile in the upstairs ballroom was installed in the 1970's to conceal cracks which were opened by the Tehachapi earthquake. That earthquake also opened a crack beside the downstairs fireplace. 

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After WWI, the federal government brought a lot of captured war equipment to the United States. Years later, it was made available to veterans’ organizations. In the 1920's, the local American Legion made an application for one of the German cannons and received an 8 millimeter cannon which was put on display in front of the Veterans Memorial Building. During the WWII scrap metal drive, citizens feared losing our cannon and were not as patriotic as they should have been. It was stored at the Army base west of Lemoore to prevent disposal. After the war, it was taken out of hiding to be replaced in front of the veterans Building. When the cannon was returned, a second one mysteriously also appeared. No one seems to know where the second one came from. They are both 8mm German cannons, one with a shorter barrel.

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Residents remember the cannons being functional and always present until the 1960s. They were fired off on special occasions such as Armistice Day, Memorial Day and at the beginnings of local parades. During the '50's, a local prankster, Charles Bryant, took delight in unauthorized firing of the cannon. Many a jail inmate was scared nearly out of his wits by the cannon going off unexpectedly in the middle of the night. As there was fear of an accident, the Board of Supervisors asked that they be plugged. 

The flagpole which stands in front of the building bears the inscription GAR 113, January 1913. This flagpole originally stood in front of the old Odd Fellows Building on the north side of Eighth Street, across from the Carnegie Library.  In the early 1960's the GAR Auxiliary asked permission to have the flagpole moved to its present location. Permission granted, the pole was moved by Dan Para, a local house mover. 

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The structure is the oldest existing American Legion building in California.  The building that housed San Francisco American Legion Post #1 was demolished, and the Coalinga American Legion Post #2 buildings were destroyed in 1983 by an earthquake.