53 Pa. Stat. § 13621

Current through Pa Acts 2024-53, 2024-56 through 2024-92
Section 13621 - Memorial halls in counties on petition of citizens; approval by grand jury; election to determine erection; acquisition of site and erection of hall

In any county of the Commonwealth, where the petition of at least fifty citizens thereof to the county commissioners of any county for the erection or completion and maintenance of a memorial or monument in honor of the soldiers, sailors, or marines for such county, who served in the Army and Navy of the United States in the War of the Rebellion, the Spanish-American War, the Philippine Insurrection, the War with Germany and Austria, and all other wars in which the United States has been or may hereafter be engaged, has been or may be laid before two successive grand juries and approved by them, it shall be the duty of the county commissioners to submit the question of the erection of a memorial hall to the electors of the county at the next general or municipal election; and, if a majority of the votes cast on the question of the erection of a memorial hall shall be in favor of the same, it shall be the duty of the county commissioners to erect, at the county seat, a memorial hall as such memorial or monument, and for such purpose to acquire by purchase, donation, or by condemnation under the right of eminent domain, the necessary site, and to erect and maintain thereon a suitable and proper memorial hall or buildings in memory of the soldiers, sailors, and marines of such wars. In case said election shall result adversely and a second petition shall be presented, the same shall be laid before two successive grand juries, and, if approved, then it shall be the duty of the county commissioners to again, in like manner, submit the question to vote at the next general or municipal election; and, if the result shall be favorable, then it shall be the duty of the county commissioners to erect such hall at such place in the county as shall have been designated, upon the ballot, in the question submitted to the electors. All proceedings for the condemnation of any property under the provisions of this act shall be in the same manner as now provided by law for the condemnation of property for other county purposes.

If the site so secured has a hall or building already erected thereon which can be altered and improved so as to be made suitable for such memorial hall, it shall be lawful for such county commissioners to acquire such site in manner aforesaid for the purpose of a memorial hall.

53 P.S. § 13621

1921, March 17, P.L. 32, No. 15, § 1. Amended 1923, June 28, P.L. 896, § 1; 1923, June 29, P.L. 927, § 1.