It started with World War I. Although the war had begun in Europe in 1914, official involvement of America did not occur until April 6, 1917. This required the expansion of the Navy along with the training of thousands of new sailors. As early as June 1917, training facilities for up to 5000 recruits were being constructed in the western part of the shipyard. The first 600 recruits arrived in October. On February 1, 1919 the shipyard expanded by taking 10 acres of Bremerton and 20 acres of Charleston. The Charleston expansion doubled the area of the training camp.

Inside the shipyard, employment jumped from 1400 in January 1916 to 4800 in January 1917 and 6500 in January 1918. The resulting stress on the communities of Bremerton and Charleston, overwhelmed the available housing, transportation, schools and the recreation facilities. The Federal Government had foreseen these impacts and had established programs to provide assistance. In the case of locations where military were being concentrated, the organization charged with ensuring welfare and recreation facilities were provided was the War Camp Community Service.

The Bremerton News on September 10, 1918 announced that the government would build a $20,000, story and a half building as a club house for enlisted men. They were sure it would be built in downtown Bremerton. No mention was made of Charleston. However, by December 16, the News stated that the $20,000 building would be built in Charleston.

Charleston's officials and businessmen began to subscribe to loans for lots, and, by January 1919, they had a 100 X 100 foot space available on the east side of Cambrian between Porter and Farragut streets for the building. A contractor named Dickinson immediately began construction. The Charleston American described the planned building on January 10, 1919 as 60 x 90 feet on the back of the site, with a front entrance way 20 x 46 on the front center of the building with total ground floor space of 6680 square feet. The basement would contain the heating plant and swimming pool. The first floor would contain the offices, game and recreation, retiring rooms etc., and the second floor the big auditorium, which was 60 x 94 less the stage and dressing room facilities.

In February, the voters of Charleston approved by 48 to 25 that the city should issue bonds to purchase the lots. On May 20, after only four months of construction, the building was opened with a ceremony described as "one of the largest gatherings in the history of the city.” The Brockerman orchestra provided music. Miss Jessie Ames Belton lead community singing, numerous speeches were given. Mr. W. C. Weir representing War Camp Community Services gave former Charleston Mayor Edward Duff full credit for his vision and drive that resulted in the building.

No time was wasted in getting the building in use by the servicemen. On May 23 the "RED CIRCLE CLUB," as the building was now called, formally opened. The Red Circle Club was featured in a series of photographs by the Seattle Daily Times in June 1919. The library had 1000 volumes furnished by the American Library Association. The most popular feature of the building was the 20 x 60 foot heated swimming pool. They also highlighted the pool, billiard, and card tables, and the canteen.

World War I had ended in November 1918. By October 31, 1919 the War Camp Community Service Organization was terminated and by February 1920 the building had been transferred to the City of Charleston. The city appointed a 'park board' of S. G. Wolfkill, I. D.Luck, and S. C. Lindberg (Mr. Luck had designed the building). The name "community House" now began to replace Red Circle Club and activities were now opened to all rather than being aimed at servicemen. It seemed that as soon as the building was transferred to the city, it operated at a loss. Perhaps this resulted from too cheap tickets: 25 cents for adults and 15 cents for children for the first community entertainment on Saturday, March 6, 1920.

The Presbyterian Church, only two blocks away, had always been deeply involved with the activities of the Community House. During its days as the Red Circle Club, the wife of the pastor, Mrs. Burkholder, had been the hostess of many functions. By 1921, under a new pastor, Rev. George H. Redden, the church had grown so much that expanded facilities were needed. They applied to the Charleston Council to take over management of the Community House. They proposed modifying the dance floor for a gymnasium and offering a slate of athletic classes. The next idea, still in 1921, was to move the fire station and city offices into Community House. It seems the bids were too high because the move did not happen.

Financial difficulties continued into 1924. In March, the Charleston City Council offered Kitsap County Government the Community House as a new County Court House. The existing Court House was the original wood building that had been used since the county seat had been moved from Port Madison to Sidney (now Port Orchard) in the 1890s. The main reasons for this were concern about the fire resistance of the old wooden structure, a county population shift toward Bremerton/Charleston, and a desire by Charleston to get rid of a financial white elephant. Although Bremerton supported the offer (and even suggested a few locations in their town) Port Orchard retained the county seat.

Almost from the start as Community House, the building had been home to American Legion Post 149. The first Post 149 meeting was held on September 19, 1920 with Harold Kuett as Commander and about 12 members. By 1925, the city of Charleston was apparently tired of running the house because on May 1, 1925 they leased Community House to Post 149 for 50 years at a $5 per year rent and the assumption of over $3000 in outstanding debts. The Post found that income from normal use would only meet operating expenses. Special "Days of 49" and carnivals were held to raise funds to pay off the debts. Within two years the debts were cut in half.

In 1927 the city Of Charleston consolidated with the city of Bremerton. In January of 1931, the facility was renamed the "American Legion Hall."

World War II started in December 1941. Four months later the government began condemnation of 52 parcels of land in West Bremerton. This area was west of Montgomery Street out to the east side of Cambrian and from Farragut Avenue south to the water. The American Legion Hall had been condemned. The building was at that time still owned by the city of Bremerton.

In May 1942, the city commissioners not only gave the building and contents to the Post, they also gave the $18,000 that had resulted from the condemnation. This enabled the Post to have the building moved across Cambrian and relocated near what had been the location of Charleston's first business, the Duff Store. The firm of L. N. Kunkel was hired to move the building in July. The move was successful, but one worker, Mr. Roy Mellon, lost part of his left leg and several fingers in an accident. After the move, the building was unoccupied for several months until foundation and utilities were installed. Once this was completed, the Post once again used the building as their Post Home.

In 1965, renovations and modernization was completed on the building and it was rededicated with much fan-fare.

In late 1998 and early 1999, the members of the Post once again found themselves seemingly in the way of "progress." The city informed the Post that it was now in the way of the "Gateway Project" which would widen the access roads into Bremerton from Highway 3. While the members of the Post fought the idea, government finally won the battle. Post members sadly closed up the building and moved into a much smaller facility on Kitsap Way which had been the home of Lupita's Restaurant for many years.

By October 1st of 1999, renovations and remodeling had been completed on the new facility, and it was officially opened as the Post Home for 149. This facility has continued to be the home for 149 since that time.