Community Hall next to Delton Hardware, circa 1965.
Kalamazoo Gazette, Sunday, January 31, 1960
Delton's Community Hall Faces Removal Threat
Public Spirit Once Saved Landmark
Center Holds Much Of Village's History
By KATHLEEN MUDGE
Gazette Staff Correspondent
DELTON, Mich. Jan. 30 - There is a growing anxiety in the
minds of many Delton citizens these days centered on new
rumors of razing the old Community Hall.
Located on M-43 between the Delton Hardware and Smith's
Garage, the building may be best described as barracks
type structure painted white, and to an outsider,
nondescript and perhaps even drab.
But to Delton's friends and residents it is a part of
history. To them it means hours of work and companionship
with families and neighbors.
Even today the ghosts of the past haunt it through the new
coat of paint and the new roof. Five years ago even the
sentimentalists admitted it was an eyesore. Rumors began
then that it would be removed to permit business expansion.
Tear down the community hall? Mothers and dads recalled
the work that went into building and equipping it, the
dinners, stage shows, square dances and church meetings
that took place there. Their concern reached Leon Leonard,
who before his death was one of the officers and trustees
of the hall.
Through Leonard's efforts the Boosters Club joined with
the Delton Lions to sponsor the hall. A board of directors
with members from each club was organized to raise funds
and direct the hall's renovation. Enthusiasm spread
throughout the community.
IT SEEMED to some that ghosts of the past had joined the
workers as volunteers dusted down the old hand painted
roll stage curtain which advertises businesses no longer
in existence. Sanding and polishing revealed a birds eye
maple floor long covered by layers of dirt. The old
kitchen produced huge pots and pans to be polished and
replaced in new cupboards. The old wainscoting was
varnished and the basement walls and massive beams
supporting the dance floor were painted white.
Over $3,000 was spent in the renovation. Plumbing was
installed for new toilet and kitchen facilities. A
sidewalk was laid in front of the building. Eaves troughs
and drains carry off excess water which formerly flooded
the basement in wet seasons. The stage was made more
accessible with a new entrance and stairs.
For three years the hall was lavished with attention.
There was a glow in the new varnish, the freshly painted
walls held a mellow warmth, and the acoustics of the hall,
the best anywhere around, seemed to whisper the hall's
appreciation.
To help raise funds, women of the community form the
Community Hall Auxiliary. They sponsored sales, dances
and parties and raised $550 for the hall. Scout activities,
teen hops and square dances for young people created a new
generation with its own memories to haunt the hall.
BUT ONCE AGAIN rumors are beginning to circulate. A
noticeable lag in community spirit has again brought up
the question of selling the hall.
The Inter-Lakes Baptist Church meets in the Hall each
Sunday, the only organization making regular use of the
facilities. But the Baptists plan to move to a new church
this spring, leaving unanswered the fate of Delton's
landmark.
"The Villain's Last Stand" was one of the last plays
performed at the Delton Community Hall. The play was
presented on Thursday and Friday, March 28th and 29th,
1957 at 8:00PM.
Click here to see
photos, play book, and the original script from the play.
The original documents were donated to the Bernard
Historical Museum by Bud Leonard.
(101)
"The Villain's Last Stand" was one of the last plays
performed at the Delton Community Hall. The play was
presented on Thursday and Friday, March 28th and 29th,
1957 at 8:00PM.