Old Town Hall

This brick building was built in 1882-1883 on Center Ridge in North Ridgeville.  It was designed by Elah Terrell, who was the grandson of some of North Ridgeville’s original pioneers.  (He also designed the Washington Building of neighboring Elyria High School, which is known as the first chartered high school west of the Alleghenys.)  This was the second Town Hall to stand on this site- the first being a frame building in use from about 1840 to 1882 as a township hall.  When this brick building was constructed as a replacement, the total cost of the structure, furnishings and other incidentals was estimated at $12,000. This building was dedicated in December of 1883 with band music, speeches and a large dinner.  The building is a two story structure 42 feet wide and 64 feet long with the foundation, trim and curved window arches cut from Amherst sandstone.  The eaves, braces and wood trim are painted white, the roof is slate and the bell tower is covered with sheets of copper.

The lower story was designed for holding elections and general township business.  The upper floor was intended for meetings, lectures, concerts, etc. with a stage on one end, five chandeliers and “298 fine opera chairs” on a sloping floor rising back from the stage.

 

Many community events have taken place at this hall over the years!  In 1884, our town was visited by famous world traveler Thomas Stevens on his “around the world” tour on his bicycle!  The entire community watched with anticipation as he arrived in town and proceeded to speak at the Town Hall telling of his adventures on his penny-farthing bicycle.  During it’s first fifty years this building was used for lectures, performances by traveling opera companies, minstrel shows, Grange meetings, ice cream socials, spelling bees, patriotic observances and the eighth grade Boxwell exams were administered here.  We’ve even read accounts of indoor roller skating that was offered in the 1940s for the enjoyment of local children in the winter months!

During World War I  the Red Cross women met at the Town Hall and spent countless hours sewing for the “doughboys”.  This spot was chosen for the site of District No. 5 of the Lorain County Draft Board during world War II.  The first kindergarten classes in town were held here from 1946 to 1958.

When North Ridgeville became a town in 1960, city offices were expanded and soon the first floor required remodeling as offices expanded to accommodate the growing population.  In January of 1975 the Town Hall was added to the National Register of Historic Places, and later that same year the city offices were moved to a new City Hall around the corner.

In about 1976 a group of local residents formed the Olde Towne Hall Players and restoration began on the second floor opera house.  The North Ridgeville Public Library moved into the first floor and remained there until 1989- when the North Ridgeville City council authorized the North Ridgeville Historical Society to use the first floor for a museum and meeting space.

Both the Olde Towne Hall Players and the Historical Society are active groups and welcome the opportunity to share their historical home with visitors!  The Old Town Hall is located at 36119 Center Ridge (route #20), North Ridgeville in Lorain County.  Both the Historical Society and the Olde Towne Hall Theatre invite interested parties to view their websites for hours and more information, or find them on Facebook.

 

 

northridgevillehistoricalsociety.com

oldetownehall.wixsite.com