The arch gateway at the west entrance of Taylor Park was given to the town and to the park by the World War I veterans of the Traer community, in memory of seven comrades who gave their lives during the war of 1917-18. It was dedicated July 3, 1923 - American Legion day - during Traer's great fiftieth anniversary celebration. Judge J. W. Willett, of Tama, national commander of the Grand Army of he Republic, and Col. C. B. Robbins, of Cedar Rapids, state commander of the American Legion, addressed the huge celebration crowd.  The arch was largely financed by $5 donations by veterans, and by a $100 gif of the American Legion Auxiliary. The honor roll, those who lost their lives in the services of their country, are listed on a bronze tablet - Clair Finch, Edward Ray Kubik, Edward L. McCord, William Lawson McTurk, Roy L. Pearce, Fred G. Pippert and George Wieben. Col. Robbins, in his dedicatory address said: "The American Legion and World War ex-service men of Traer are the first in the state of Iowa, so far as I know, to erect a memorial to their comrades of the local community and finance it entirely by voluntary subscriptions from their own ranks." The cost was approximately $900.
~Service Record, World Wars I and II, Traer, Iowa and Community, page 75.