Stillwell Hall is truly the jewell of Fort Ord. An idea envisioned by "Vinegar Joe" Stilwell, the Commanding officer of Fort Ord at the time. General Stilwell was genuinely concerned with the welfare of his troops and built Stilwell Hall as a facility that soldiers could go to relax, it was to be the prototype for the first soldiers club. The club was built in the 1940s by donations from the soldiers. During its history many entertainers such as Bob Hope and many of the big band era entertainers gave performances at Stilwell Hall. During his pre-Hollywood years Clint Eastwood once served beer in the "tap room". Today Stilwell Hall is in great disrepair, boarded up and off limits to the general public. Stilwell Hall is destined to be moved in the next few years to a spot near the old railroad tracks on First Street. The hall will be renovated to be a railroad stop that runs from Monterey to San Francisco.



The "tap room" hosted the longest bar on the west coast served "near beer"
Ths photo shows the enormous timbers that support the tiled roof in the "tap room"


This photo shows the huge 25ft fireplace in the ball room of Stilwell Hall.