In the 1920s, World War I veterans sought support from the McDowell County Commission to build a memorial recognizing African American veterans, and the county approved the plan and set aside $25,000 for construction. The Kimball War Memorial became the first building in the United States to honor the 400,000 African Americans who volunteered during World War I. Of the 50,000 who served overseas, more than 1,500 were from McDowell County. Construction began in 1927, and the building was dedicated on February 11, 1928. Designed by Hassel T. Hicks of Welch, West Virginia, in classical Greek style, it housed the first black American Legion Post along with a library, kitchen, trophy room, reading room, pool hall, auditorium, and offices. It became a center of community life, hosting high school proms, wedding receptions, and performances by Cab Calloway and other well known entertainers. As the coal industry declined, the memorial also declined. Local restoration efforts were underway when a fire on April 12, 1991, left only the exterior shell. Community fundraising, together with state and federal support, led to its restoration and reopening in 2006.