Henry Raymond

Fairfax News => Current News & Events => Topic started by: Henry on December 07, 2008, 10:20:09 AM

Title: The Old Grange Hall
Post by: Henry on December 07, 2008, 10:20:09 AM

For those of you that may be relatively new in town, I have posted a photo of the Old Grange Hall as it looked in the mid 1970s.  It used to be a place for not only the Grange to hold its meetings, but I am told in the 1940s when the original BFA burned, they were having a girls basketball game in the building.  At one time they used to show movies there and I have attended a number of surprise parties there such as my Father & Mother-In_Law's 25th wedding anniversary party - I dropped my future wife off there one Sunday afternoon where she was pleasantly surprised with a Bridal Shower.  Remember hearing personal original poems by Effie Bellows and Clarence Preston.  Lots of old memories there which at one time was kind of a place to gather together, not only for the Grange, but other local community events:

(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/photos/albums/mainst/main_1155.jpg)

Title: Re: The Old Grange Hall
Post by: Mummy on December 07, 2008, 03:05:10 PM

Can you tell us why this once so popular location turned into a vacant building?   Thanks

Title: Re: The Old Grange Hall
Post by: MikeF9 on December 07, 2008, 07:37:13 PM

Back then, the boys and girls teams played the same night-no JV teams. The girls played first, then the boys. It was during the boys game that someone came running in to say that the school was on fire.
The Wolds used to own it and had a bookstore in there. Their son now owns it, he's out of state, but I think I heard he would like to bring back the bookstore.
One major problen-absolutely no parking.

Title: Re: The Old Grange Hall
Post by: Henry on December 07, 2008, 07:42:25 PM

The building was built around 1889 and originally was known as a roller skating rink - Somewhere along the way it became Alfred's Store, then owned by The Town of Fairfax, who then sold it to Fairfax Grange #525.  In 1979 the Grange sold it to Arthur & Louise Wold who made a used book store out of it.  Both Arthur & Louise are now deceased and it is now in the name of their son Carl & his wife, I believe.