Crescent Grange Hall No. 512 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Crescent Grange Hall No. 512
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Crescent Grange Hall #512 from the southwest
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 Location in Minneapolis–Saint Paul
Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | Typo Lake Road, Linwood Township, Minnesota |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1881–82 |
| NRHP reference No. | 79001190 |
| Added to NRHP | December 26, 1979 |
Crescent Grange Hall #512 is an old building in Linwood Township, Minnesota. It was built between 1881 and 1882. This hall was a special meeting place for a group called the Grange. The Grange was an important club for farmers. It helped them work together and support each other. This hall is now a historic place because it shows us how farmers used to live and work. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
Why the Grange Started
Imagine a time after a big war in America, the American Civil War. Farmers, especially in the countryside, were having a tough time. Prices for their crops were falling. They also had to pay high fees to bankers and people who transported their goods. It was hard for them to make enough money to live.
In 1866, a farmer named Oliver Hudson Kelley noticed something important. Farmers often felt alone on their farms. He thought they needed to connect and help each other. So, he and six friends started a group called the National Grange. This group welcomed both men and women. Kelley's idea was simple: farmers could be stronger if they worked together.
He encouraged farmers to form cooperatives. These were like clubs where farmers could store and sell their crops together. This way, they could get better prices and avoid high fees from middlemen. Kelley even started the first state-level Grange in Minnesota in 1869. By 1875, the Grange had grown huge, with over 858,000 members!
Building the Hall
The Crescent Grange #512 group started in Anoka County's Linwood Township in 1874. Before they had their own building, members met at churches or in each other's homes.
In February 1881, the members decided to build their own hall. J. G. Green offered to give the land for free. The next month, Grange members went to a nearby forest. They cut down pine trees. Then, they took the wood to a sawmill to cut it into lumber.
Construction on the hall began in June 1881. If a member missed helping with the building, they had to pay a fine. As they built, they decided to make the kitchen bigger.
The Crescent Grange Hall #512 had its first big celebration on July 4, 1882. But work on the building continued until 1884. The hall is one story tall. It has a pointed roof and walls made of overlapping wooden boards. Inside, there is a meeting room, a big open space for events, and a kitchen.
Later, in 1916, more changes were made. Small areas were added on each side of the building. The front one became the entrance. The back one had pretty stained glass windows. In 1949, the ceiling was lowered to help save heat and make the sound better.
What the Hall Was Used For
The hall was a very important place for farmers in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It was used to teach farmers the best ways to grow crops and raise animals. Members could also share equipment they owned together, like a machine for separating grain. They even had a barn space for storing things and for social gatherings.
The Grange movement helped farmers for many years. It was a strong group that lasted longer than other farmer groups, like the Farmers' Alliance.
See also
- List of Grange Hall buildings
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Anoka County, Minnesota
