NOTE: Since this building has been destroyed, and might not be rebuilt, I could (probably should) archive this waymark. However, I am leaving this as a valid waymark, because as far as I know, it is the only photographic evidence on the web that the Pacheco Grange Hall ever existed. If anyone has more archive photos or history of this grange, they can still post to this waymark. It is also possible that this Hall will be rebuilt after all.
A few weeks after the fire, the local paper published a letter to the editor, containing lots of details of the Hall's history, some of which are excerpted here:
"Letters to the Editor
Friday, January 02, 2009
A little about Pacheco Hall
The original hall burned on Oct. 4, 1896. It was replaced with the structure that stood on the corner of Frye Lane and Shore Road for the next 111 years. That building burned to the ground on Dec. 13, 2008.
The Pacheco Hall Association was incorporated on May 6, 1898. According to early minutes of the association, a used piano was purchased and the San Felipe Orchestra would assemble to furnish music at no charge. Admission to early dances was 25 cents and children under the age of 12 were free. On occasion gentlemen were charged admission while ladies were admitted for no charge. As time progressed the admission was increased to $1 per couple, including refreshments.
Plays and dramas were also presented for the entertainment of the community by groups or individuals and the hall committee would furnish refreshments of sandwiches, peanuts, candy coffee and lemonade for an extra fee. Minutes from the meeting of Oct. 16, 1897, state that a cup of coffee, sandwich and piece of cake would be sold for 15 cents or two for 25 cents.
The original hall was painted inside and out for a cost of $43.20, including labor. Property taxes were $9.75 and insurance for the hall, valued at $1,000, was $22.50, with the agent discounting his fee. Of course, the "facilities" were out back until about 1935, and a kitchen and small meeting room were added at about that time.
In 1930, the use and care of the Hall was briefly turned over to the Pacheco PTA. The Pacheco Community Hall was then governed by a joint board comprised of members of the Pacheco PTA, the Pacheco Home Department and the Pacheco Farm Bureau. Several local Four-H groups have held meetings and parties at the hall over the years, with the Santa Ana Four-H group continuing to use it for meetings. The hall was used as a political polling place until 2006, when the county realized that the hall was not handicap accessible. Members of the community now vote by absentee ballot. Most recently a group from Alcoholics Anonymous was using space at the hall for their meetings.
The Pacheco Hall Association holds its meetings during the months of October, December, February, March and May. Meetings are not held during the summer months as this was typically when the farmers would be putting in long days working in the fields with their crops and livestock. Membership is limited to families living in what was the old Pacheco School District area.
The current Board of Directors has no plans to disband membership. On the contrary, they have held an emergency meeting to discuss the current issues and are exploring several options for rebuilding or repurposing their property.
Mike Pera
President
Pacheco Hall Association"
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visit link)
(I have copied most of Mr. Pera's letter here, because it is possible that Pinnacle News will not maintain a copy of their own.)