Ely Community Center facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Ely Community Center
|
|
Ely Community Center viewed from the southwest
|
|
 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 30 S. 1st Ave E., Ely, Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | 1938 |
| Built by | Lenci, Lenci & Englund |
| Architect | William & Dorothy Ingemann, P. M. Olsen |
| Architectural style | PWA Moderne |
| MPS | Federal Relief Construction in Minnesota, 1933-1941 |
| NRHP reference No. | 16000280 |
| Added to NRHP | May 23, 2016 |
The Ely Community Center is an old and important building in Ely, Minnesota. It was built in 1938. This building helped people find jobs during a tough time. It also gave the community a great place to meet and learn. The center had a library, a big hall, and even showers! Its design was a cool mix of old and new styles. This style is called PWA Moderne.
Contents
What is the Ely Community Center?
The Ely Community Center is a historic building. It is located in the city of Ely, Minnesota. It was built a long time ago, in 1938. This building was made to serve the people of Ely. It offered many different services.
Built During a Tough Time
The center was built during the Great Depression. This was a time when many people did not have jobs. The United States government started programs to help. One program was the Public Works Administration (PWA). The PWA gave money for projects. These projects created jobs for people. They also built useful things for communities. The Ely Community Center was one of these projects. It was part of the "New Deal" programs.
What Was Inside the Center?
When it first opened, the Ely Community Center had many features. It was home to the public library. There was also a large auditorium. This was a place for shows and meetings. The building had rooms for different groups to meet. It also had offices. There was even a cafeteria to eat in. And, it had public showers for people to use.
The Building's Special Style
The building has a unique look. Its design mixes two styles. One is called Art Deco. This style uses bold shapes and patterns. The other is a simpler Neoclassical style. This style uses ideas from old Greek and Roman buildings. When these two styles were mixed for PWA buildings, it became known as PWA Moderne.
How the Center Served the Community
For many years, the Ely Community Center was very busy. It kept doing most of its original jobs. Community groups used the building often. They had their main offices there until the 1990s. The auditorium was used for events. The cafeteria also hosted many gatherings. It was a central spot for the people of Ely.
A New Chapter for the Building
In 2014, the public library moved out. It went to a brand new building. After that, the Ely Community Center was empty for a while. But in 2018, the city council made a decision. They voted to sell the building. A group called the K America Foundation bought it. They plan to use it for new activities. These will include camps about Korean culture and history.
Why is the Center Historic?
The Ely Community Center is very important. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2016. This means it is a special building. It is important for its architecture. It is also important for how it helped the community. This includes entertainment and government services.
A Partnership for the Community
The center is a great example of teamwork. The local community worked with the Public Works Administration. Together, they created a building with many uses. It was a place for everyone. Its unique PWA Moderne style also makes it special.
 | John T. Biggers |
 | Thomas Blackshear |
 | Mark Bradford |
 | Beverly Buchanan |
