Elk Rapids Township Hall facts for kids
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Elk Rapids Township Hall
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Township Hall
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 401 River Street Elk Rapids, Michigan |
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| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | 1883 |
| Architect | Charles Peale |
| NRHP reference No. | 77000709 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | September 22, 1977 |
The Elk Rapids Township Hall is an old and important building in Elk Rapids, Michigan. It used to be where the local government met. This building was recognized as a special historic place in Michigan in 1973. It was also added to a national list of historic places in 1977.
Today, after being fixed up, it's called HERTH Hall. It is now used for many different events like parties and shows.
A Look Back at the Township Hall
The land where the Elk Rapids Township Hall stands has a long history. It's close to where Abram Wadsworth, one of the first settlers, lived. By the 1880s, Elk Rapids was a busy and successful town. It needed a permanent place for its government to meet.
The Township Hall was built in 1883. A local architect named Charles Peale designed it. From the very beginning, it was made to be used for both government meetings and fun community events. It housed the town's offices. It also had a stage for performances. The hall hosted plays and even vaudeville shows. Vaudeville was a popular type of entertainment with different acts like comedy, music, and dance. In the 1940s, it was even used as a school gym and auditorium.
Saving a Historic Building
In the 1950s, people talked about tearing down the Township Hall. But they decided not to. The idea came up again in 1967. However, by 1972, the town decided to fix it up instead.
In 1974, a group called the Elk Rapids Area Historical Society was formed. They started a project to restore the building. The town's offices moved out of the building in 2004. In 2009, a new group, the Historic Elk Rapids Town Hall Association (HERTHA), was created. Their job is to manage and take care of the building. Today, it's a popular place for performances and can be rented for events.
What the Hall Looks Like
The Elk Rapids Township Hall is a single-story building. It is shaped like a rectangle and built with light brown bricks. It has a special type of roof called a mansard roof. This kind of roof has four sides, each with two slopes.
The building is about 38 feet wide and 100 feet long. You enter through a newer front section called a vestibule. This is like a small entryway. The side walls have tall, rounded windows. Between the windows are strong brick supports called buttress piers.
Inside, the main hall can seat about 180 people. The stage still has its original painted background from the early 1900s. After a lot of work to fix it up, HERTH Hall is now a great place. You can rent it for weddings, family reunions, concerts, parties, and more.
