Cokato Temperance Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cokato Temperance Hall |
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Cokaton P.R.S. Onnen Toivo Raittiusseura
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The Cokato Temperance Hall from the west-southwest
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 Location in Minnesota
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| Location | County Highway 3 and County Road 100, Cokato Township, Minnesota |
| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | 1896 |
| NRHP reference No. | 76001081 |
| Designated NRHP | December 12, 1976 |
The Cokato Temperance Hall is a historic clubhouse built in 1896 in Cokato Township. It was created to be a fun, alcohol-free social center for a community of Finnish American immigrants.
A local group that promoted healthy, alcohol-free living, called a temperance society, built the hall. The crossroads where it stands became known as Temperance Corner. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its importance to the Finnish immigrants and their culture.
Today, the hall is cared for by the Cokato Finnish American Historical Society. They have moved other historic buildings to the site, creating a special place called the Finnish Pioneer Park.
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A Special Place for the Community
In the 1800s, many people joined the temperance movement. They believed that communities would be healthier and safer without alcohol. This idea was popular with many groups, including immigrants from Finland.
Finnish immigrants began farming the land near Cokato in 1866. Thirty years later, on August 2, 1896, they started their own temperance society. In the Finnish language, they named it Onnen Toivo, which means "hope of happiness."
That same year, the group bought a small piece of land for $30. A community member named Erick Kotila led the construction of the hall, creating a new center for their community.
A Hub of Fun and Culture
To join the Onnen Toivo Temperance Society, people promised to live an alcohol-free life. The group's goal was to encourage others to join and to teach young people about making healthy choices.
But the hall was much more than just a meeting place. It was the heart of the community's social life and helped the settlers preserve their Finnish culture. The stage was used for plays, speeches, and music shows.
In 1910, an athletic club started at the hall. It offered activities like gymnastics, boxing, and wrestling. The hall also hosted events like box socials, which were fun ways to raise money and for young people to meet. Town meetings, school events, and even elections were held there.
A charity group also used the hall to send food and clothing to people in Finland. They were very active from World War I until 1959, especially during the Winter War in 1939–40.
What Does the Hall Look Like?
The Cokato Temperance Hall is a simple, two-story wooden building. It is rectangular, measuring 25 by 45 feet. A small entryway, or vestibule, sticks out from the front.
The main floor is one large room with a stage at the far end. A staircase in the corner leads up to the second floor, which was never finished.
In 1939, the hall was updated with a new roof, foundation, and floor. It was also repainted inside and out. A painted stage curtain was added, which is now on display at the Cokato Museum.
The Hall Today: Finnish Pioneer Park
The hall continued to be used for social and school events until the 1950s. After that, it was sold and fell into disrepair.
In the 1970s, the Cokato Finnish American Historical Society bought the building. They fixed it up and began moving other historic buildings to the site to create the Finnish Pioneer Park.
Today, the park includes:
- The 1896 Temperance Hall
- A one-room schoolhouse from 1899
- A log cabin from 1866, built by one of the first settlers
- The 1868 Barberg–Selvälä–Salmonson Sauna, believed to be the oldest Finnish-style sauna in the United States.
The Cokato Finnish American Historical Society holds events at the park every year to celebrate Finnish holidays like Juhannus (Midsummer) and Pikkujoulu (Little Christmas).
See also
