---

As soon as Colton-Foothills Grange #831 was organized in April 1935, one of the top priorities was a hall of their own. The organizational meetings were held in either the High School Auditorium or the Gym. But once established, the regular meeting place was the High School Dormitory. Almost immediately the members voted to look for a site to build a hall, giving the Executive Committee the job of finding a place. It took a while; a site was not settled on until June 1936 when the present site was purchased from L.N. Spencer.

Plans were made for a building 32' by 40' building, but money was a problem and the actual building did not begin until 1938. At the April 1938 meeting, Brother Harold Johnson was given the authority to buy lumber from Mrs. Jessie Freeman at the following prices:

            Rough lumber $10.00
            Shiplap            $12.00
            Siding              $16.00
            Flooring           $20.00.

Total bill from Mrs. Freeman was $227.78. Brother Ken Johnson was paid $4.00 for hauling the lumber.

The hall was built largely with volunteer labor with Brother Harold Johnson in charge. By January 1939 the hall had progressed far enough for him to ask the consent of the Grange to buy doors and windows.  Much of the lumber and supplies were bought partially for cash and partly charged with the bills being paid as money could be raised to do so. Other suppliers that furnished materials were McCready Lumber and Danielson Brothers.

The Grange began meeting in their new hall in early 1940. The hall was insured for $1,000 with an additional $200.00 for the contents. The hall was dedicated on August 3, 1940 by Oregon State Grange Master Ray Gill. A total of 78 people attended the dedication.

Even after the dedication, work continued; it was not until 1943 that the outside of the hall was painted. 7 gallons of paint were bought at $3.35 per gallon for a volunteer work party with the men doing the painting and the ladies fixing dinner.

A brick chimney was built in 1944.

By the 1950's, the need for more space was being felt. The Building Committee looked at the possibility of buying a "defense house" for use as a dining room. Price would have been $875.00 for a 24' by 44' building, delivered. Money would have had to have been borrowed to pay for it. The proposal generated much discussion for several months over whether to buy the building or plan to build on to the existing hall. In the end, the Grange decided against buying the building.

At the March 19, 1950 meeting the Grange voted to build an addition for the dining room and kitchen. Money was borrowed from the Grange Mutual Life Company to do this. The mortgage was paid off in 1974. Brother Frank LaCasse was in charge of the building. He did much of the interior finish work throughout the hall.

In the 1960's the present dining room and basement were added to the hall and the restrooms were remolded. Maintenance and up keep of a hall is on going. The roof needed repairs and metal roofing was applied, first to one side of the main hall, then the other and finally to the restrooms and kitchen area so now the entire roof has been done.

In the 1980's, with the hall in increasing use some updating seemed in order. The Fire Marshall said that new doors that opened outward were needed. The Americans with Disabilities Act mandated that the restrooms be made handicapped assessable if they were remodeled. The kitchen plumbing had some problems and interior painting was over due.

This time, however, money did not have to be borrowed. With the regular rent from the Timber Valley Bible Church and the generous grants from the CHR Foundation the Grange was able to update the hall with professional help without incurring serious debt. The members still did much volunteer work, especially painting. Past Master Harry Corr spent numerous hours in the hall with his painting gun spraying on the paint.

In the summer of 1999 it was again necessary to borrow money to do repairs to the hall.  The foundation of the main hall was leveled and the main support timbers replaced.  A new foundation was added under the restrooms and entrance hall.  The Grange borrowed $10,000.00 to do the work and is currently holding fundraisers to pay it off.

---