Community Building (Princeton, Iowa) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Community Building
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 428 S. River Dr. Princeton, Iowa |
|---|---|
| Area | less than 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1928 |
| Architect | Daniel Harring Company (remodel) |
| Architectural style | Early Commercial |
| NRHP reference No. | 08000331 |
| Added to NRHP | April 25, 2008 |
The Community Building in Princeton, Iowa, is also known by names like Community Hall or Boll's Store. This important building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008, recognizing its special history and design.
Contents
The Story of the Community Building
The Community Building has an interesting past, starting with big plans that took a long time to finish.
Early Plans and Challenges
Back in 1903, a doctor named John Knox started building this structure. He imagined a three-story building with shops, offices, a ballroom, and even a hospital! However, he ran out of money before he could finish it. He managed to build two stories, then found more investors to add a third floor and the roof. But his funds ran out again, leaving the building as an empty shell without windows for 20 years.
Completing the Project in 1928
Community leaders worked hard to get the building finished. In 1928, a group called the Community Building Company bought the structure. They hired the Daniel Harring Company from Clinton, Iowa, to remodel it. The building was changed to be two stories tall.
When it was finished, the building had a kitchen in the basement. The first floor had two spaces for shops. The second floor featured a large hall with a stage, perfect for events. To make the second floor taller, they used the lower part of the original third story. The building officially opened on November 22, 1928, with a big party that included dinner, a speaker, a carnival, and a dance!
A Busy Community Hub
For many years, the Community Building was a lively place for Princeton.
- The hall on the second floor hosted dances, plays, movies, and meetings.
- Local churches used the basement for their chicken dinners.
- Groups like the International Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F) and the Rebekahs held their regular meetings there.
- In 1930, a local basketball team even used the hall for games, installing their own equipment.
Changes Over Time
The building was rented out for different uses. The dining room and kitchen could be rented for $10. The main hall cost $15 for a regular night or $25 for holidays. The two shop spaces on the first floor were $20 each per month.
Henry W. Boll, who owned a general store, rented both shop spaces for $40 a month. He removed a wall to create one large store. During the Great Depression, his rent went down to $30. By 1961, he was paying $85 a month.
In 1963, Henry Boll bought the building. His son, Merle, took over the store in 1972 and ran it until 1997. While the Boll family owned it, the building was mostly used for the store, with only a few events in the hall or basement.
In 1997, the city of Princeton bought the building. They renovated it, and in 1998, it reopened as Princeton's community center, once again serving the whole town.
Building Design and Features
The Community Building is a two-story structure made of brick, sitting on a strong stone foundation. It has a rounded, barrel vault roof. The building was designed in the Early Commercial style, which was popular for businesses at the time.
Outside Appearance
The front of the building, facing east, has a unique arched wall at the top called a parapet wall. It has decorative cut-outs called crenellations in the middle and on the sides.
Originally, there were two entrances for the two storefronts. But in 1963, the north entrance was removed. By 1973, the brick on the second floor was wearing out, so a smooth coating called stucco was added to protect it. When the city renovated the building, a concrete ramp with a brick look and a low metal railing was added to make it accessible for everyone.
The side of the building (south elevation) has six sections marked by brick columns called pilasters. It used to have a wider back door that led to the basement and the second-floor hall. This double door was later changed to a single door. Around 1963, a small, single-story addition made of concrete blocks was built at the back. This was used for extra storage for Boll's Store and has a pointed gable roof.
