RIVERDALE GRANGE HALL
Riverdale Road and 100th Avenue
Location Description
The present Riverdale Grange Hall is located four and one-half miles north of Adams City. The original hall (Patron) was located on Globeville Road.
After a fire, in 1923, they rebuilt the hall at its new location on the southwestern section of ground at the intersection of Riverdale Road and 100th Avenue.
History of The National Grange
The National Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry was founded by Oliver Hudson Kelly, in 1967, in Washington D.C. The primary reason for the establishment of the Grange was to advance the social, economic, and political interests of the farmers of the United States. Because of this the Grange feels a sense of responsibility toward the farmers. This is why the Grange has also set-up a system of fire, windstorm, and automobile insurance for its members.
Today, the Grange also exerts its influence to secure the passage of legislation aimed at improving both the status of farmers and of agriculture in general. The Grange is also very active is the areas of environmental protection. Water is the essential natural resource for farming and the Grange plans to protect it in every way.
History of Riverdale Grange No. 187
Riverdale Grange Hall was built in the fall of 1909, forty-two years after the Grange was established. At that time it was named Patron Hall and was located between the Globeville Road and the Platte River. The Riverdale Grange received its charter members on March 1, 1910. Walter Tuck was the first master at Riverdale Grange.
Riverdale Grange enjoyed much progress between 1910 and 1923, considering it served such a small area. Then disaster struck at the New Year's Party being held at Patron Hall. A major fire started and eventually destroyed Brewers Hayloft, Patron School, and Patron Hall.
A year and a half later a new hall was constructed and became the Riverdale Community Society Hall. But the Grange was allowed to use the hall for meetings and other business.
The Great Depression seemed to bring the Riverdale Grange much prosperity. It is felt by some members that the 1930's and 1940's were the "Golden Years" of the Grange. The depression brought people closer together. People didn't go places for entertainment, rather they made their own. Many times their activities led them to the Grange Hall. At the hall, they had many dances, dinners, meetings, and plays. Soon the Grange hall became the center of the farming community.
However, everyone didn't do as well as the Grange. The Community Society had been running deeper and deeper into debt. So, in October of 1936, the Community Society sold the building to the Grange. They took over the hall with the understanding that they were to payoff all debts on the hall at that time. The debts against the hall, being a note for $1,950 and interest amounting to $102.37, came to a total of $2,052.37.
Seven years and six months later the debt was paid off. This had all been made possible by the joint effort of the members. Holding severing dances, which netted as much as $150, helped to retire the debt. Even though the debt had been paid off, the hall still held dances. This helped keep the people close.
Members of the Riverdale Grange had an outstanding horseshoe throwing team from 1940 to 1945.
Two interesting things about the place include the wooden floor and the stage. The floor of the building
was made of oak, which was paid for by a dance that was held at the Grange Hall. The stage is on the western side of the hall. Many plays and vaudeville-type shows have been put on there. The money raised went to many good causes.
In the summer of 1957, Holy Cross Church did not have a church of their own. So as a gesture of goodwill the Grange allowed the church to use the hall for their services.
Gradually Grange membership started to decline as the area changed from farming to residential. These people were not farmers so they saw little need for the Grange. The Grange soon started falling into financial problems and on October 1, 1974, they had to sell the hall. The new owners are the Northglenn American Legion Post No. 22.
The building is still used by the Grange for their meetings. Most of the Grangers refer to the hall as "The Barn," because it is painted red and looks like a giant barn.
Acknowledgments
Mr. & Mrs. Elmer Pftersh
The National Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry
Colorado State Grange, 2695 Alcott Street
References
The Granger, published by the National Grange
Colorado State Grange History, published by the
National Grange
Universal Standard Encyclopedia, Volume 11
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