Lodgepole Community Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Lodgepole Community Hall
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 Lodgepole Community Hall
Location in Montana
Lodgepole Community Hall
Location in the United States
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| Location | Fort Belknap Indian Community, Lodgepole, Montana |
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| Area | 0.2 acres (0.081 ha) |
| Built | 1936 |
| Built by | Works Progress Administration |
| Architectural style | Neo-Native American |
| NRHP reference No. | 00000148 |
| Added to NRHP | February 24, 2000 |
The Lodgepole Community Hall is a special historic building located in Lodgepole, Montana. This hall is part of the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. It was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 24, 2000, recognizing its importance to the community and its history.
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Lodgepole Community Hall: A Historic Gathering Place
The Lodgepole Community Hall was built a long time ago, in 1936. It was created during a tough time in American history called the Great Depression. During this period, many people didn't have jobs. The government started special programs to help people find work and build important things for their communities.
Building the Hall: A New Deal Project
The Lodgepole Community Hall was built by workers from the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The WPA was a government program that gave jobs to millions of Americans. They built roads, bridges, parks, and buildings like this hall. The timber used for the hall likely came from the Little Rockies. It was probably cut down by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC was another New Deal program that employed young men in conservation projects.
The hall's original walls were made of logs. This style is called "Rustic" and was often used by the WPA. Even though the logs are now covered by siding, they are still there. Inside, tall logs stand evenly spaced along the walls, helping to hold the building up.
Inside the Lodgepole Hall
The Lodgepole Community Hall is one large room with a very high ceiling, about 18 feet (5.5 m) tall. This big space was designed for many activities. It has a large dance floor, which is also marked out for a basketball court. Bleachers are set up for people to watch games or performances. At one end of the hall, there's a raised stage.
The hall has a unique, irregular shape. This shape was inspired by older round halls built on the Fort Belknap Reservation. These older halls, in turn, were similar to the temporary arenas the Assiniboine people made for dances by circling their wagons. This design connects the hall to the rich cultural traditions of the Assiniboine tribe.
A Community Hub for Generations
Since it was built, the Lodgepole Community Hall has been a central place for the community. In the 1930s, it hosted many different events. Children's programs were held there, along with basketball games and "white dances." Even movies like Call of the Rockies and Last of the Mohicans were shown.
These activities helped the community by giving people chances to gather and connect. The hall also played a very important role in keeping Assiniboine cultural traditions alive. Frequent traditional feasts and dances, including week-long dances around Christmastime, helped to sustain the community's heritage. The Lodgepole Community Hall continues to be a vital gathering place, connecting past traditions with present-day community life.
