A group of Black Men filed for a post application for a permanent charter Jue2,1975 because the the other 2 local post would not admit Blacks. It was granted a permanent charter June10,1975. This was originally an all Black Post.
It was named after Master Sgt. James R.Blaclwell.
James Blackwell was born in Newton County, Mississippi. The family moved to Meridian when he was a young boy. He attended Meridian public schools(Weschlera0. Then later attended Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. He enlisted in the Armey February 14, 1942. He was a veteran of World War II serving in Germany before returning to the United States in 1952.
He served 27 years before retiring. He died September 1972.
By 2006 there was only one member left in the post.
In July 2007 a group of members led by Robert Alexander were dissatisfied with Post 21 in Meridian. Another group of members from Post 125 had some disagreement and wanted to start their own post. These groups contacted the State Adjutant The State Adjutant( Mr. Bracy) told them about Post 257 and concentrate on rebuilding that Post.
These two groups visited the last remaining member of Post 257 who was a World War II veteran and was termanly ill. He still had the charter. Post 257 was reborn as an integrated American Legion Post.
american legion post 257 meridian,ms 