Fraternity Hall
United States historic place
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fraternity Hall is a historic building located in Elkhorn, Montana. It was originally used as a dance hall and meeting place for various fraternal orders. It is now part of Elkhorn State Park. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.[1][2]
Fraternity Hall | |
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  Fraternity Hall  Fraternity Hall | |
| Location | Main St., Elkhorn, Montana |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 46°16′30″N 111°56′44″W |
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | c.1893 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001084[1] |
| Added to NRHP | April 3, 1975 |
History
The Fraternity Hall Association of Elkhorn was organized and incorporated on May 8, 1893, in Elkhorn, Montana, to purchase land, construct, and manage a building that the numerous fraternal organizations in the town could use.[2] The result was Fraternity Hall, which was built sometime in the 1890s.[2]
The first floor of Fraternity Hall was used as a meeting hall, community dance hall, and for theatrical presentations. The second floor served as a lodge meeting hall for such groups as the Masons, Knights of Pythias, IOOF, IOGT, Sons of St. Georges, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen."[2]
After the buiding had been vacant for years, it was purchased by the Western Montana Ghost Town Preservation Society on June 26, 1972, with a loan from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.[2] This action prevented the demolition and relocation of Fraternity Hall to another states.[2] The Architectural Record featured Fraternity Hall as number one on a list of twelve structures in the American West that should be saved.[2]
Fraternity Hall was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 3, 1975.[1][2] Its National Register nomination asserts that "It is perhaps the most photographed ghost town building in the United States.[2] The building has been featured on the cover of many publications on ghost towns.[2]
Today, Elkhorn, Montana, is considered a ghost town, but it was originally a center for gold and silver mining.[3][2][4] The state of Montana designated Fraternity Hall and the adjacent Gillian Hall as Elkhorn State Park on January 7, 1980.[5][6] Fraternity Hall is owned by the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.[5]
Architecture
Fraternity Hall was built in Greek Revival style.[2] It is a two-story frame building with a false front that features simulated pilasters and arches, along with an ornate, cantilevered balcony.[2] The roof consists of hand-split wood shakes.[2] The foundation was built using native stone.[2] The building is 28 by 72 feet.[2]
