Bear Valley Grange Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Bear Valley Grange Hall
|
|
The Bear Valley Grange Hall from the northeast
|
|
 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | County Road 3, Chester Township, Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Area | 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) |
| Built | 1874 |
| Built by | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Front-gabled vernacular |
| NRHP reference No. | 88003089 |
| Designated | January 5, 1989 |
The Bear Valley Grange Hall is a special old building in Chester Township, Minnesota. It was built in 1874. This hall was made for a group called the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry. This group was important for farmers long ago. They helped farmers and were like a club for them.
The Grange chapter stopped meeting in the 1880s. After that, the building became the Chester Town Hall. It is still used for town meetings today. In 1989, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a very important historical site. It is one of the few Grange halls left in Minnesota. It is also special because it was built just for the Grange. Most Grange groups met in other places, like schools.
Contents
What Does the Bear Valley Grange Hall Look Like?
The Bear Valley Grange Hall is a one-story building. It is made of wood and sits on a stone foundation. The building is about 40 feet long and 22 feet wide. The front and back of the building have pointed roofs, like a triangle. This style was common for many buildings in the Midwest, like churches and schools.
The front door is in the middle of the north side. There are two windows next to the door. These windows have large wooden shutters. The side walls each have four similar windows. The tops of the windows and doors have a small peak. There are no other fancy decorations. The outside walls are covered with overlapping wooden boards. Inside, the building is one large room.
The hall is on a small hill in the countryside. It is close to the small town of Bear Valley. You can find it along Wabasha County Road 3. The closest city is Zumbro Falls.
The Story of the Grange Hall
How the Grange Started
The Order of Patrons of Husbandry, or "Grange," began in 1868. It was started by Oliver Hudson Kelley from Minnesota. This was the first national group to speak up for farmers. People from the Grange traveled around the United States. They helped local groups, called "subordinate granges," get started.
In 1870, a Grange official named T.A. Thompson came to Wabasha County. He helped start the Bear Valley Grange. It was one of the first six Grange groups in the county. It was also the 50th Grange group in all of Minnesota. The Bear Valley Grange built this hall for themselves in 1874. They built it on land owned by a farmer named C. M. Boutelle. The spot was right next to the main road. This road went from Lake City to Mazeppa. In 1874, only one other Grange in Wabasha County had its own building.
Why the Grange Was Important
The Grange grew very quickly after the American Civil War. Farming was changing a lot. New machines and ways of farming were being used. More people were living in the countryside. Railroads connected farmers directly to markets in the East. Before, farmers mostly grew food for themselves. Now, they were part of a huge national economy. They often felt they had little control over it.
The Grange offered many things to farmers. It promised to help them with money, education, and social life. Farmers could learn new scientific farming methods. They could also form groups to work together. The Grange also pushed for rules about railroads. These rules would help farmers get fair prices.
The Grange was also a fun place to be. Rural areas often did not have many social activities. The Grange held many talks, potluck dinners, and other gatherings. Anyone involved in farming could join, both men and women. By 1876, about 750,000 people were Grange members across the country.
Changes Over Time
The Grange's big success did not last very long. Some of their plans in Minnesota did not work out well. Membership started to drop quickly. The Bear Valley Grange was once one of the biggest in Wabasha County. It had over 100 members. But it closed down in the 1880s.
After the Grange closed, the hall was used for a new purpose. It became the town hall for Chester Township. It has been used for town meetings ever since. This continued use helped keep the building safe and preserved for many years.
More Information
