Rebirth Of The Teasdale Amusement Hall—A Century Later

The century-old Teasdale Amusement Hall is reborn!

Amusement Hall was the original name for this iconic and historic structure, more familiarly known as the Dance Hall, and in recent times as the Cultural Hall. The purchase and rejuvenation of this building—kept low-profile until assurance of success—is being officially announced by the Teasdale Historical Society.

Though this non-profit organization was formed with the larger mission of protecting and preserving the history, culture and heritage of Teasdale, the instigating and unifying purpose of the board has been the preservation of the Amusement Hall and restoring it to historic uses for all residents of Teasdale and Wayne County. Their success is a rather extraordinary achievement and proof that a small number of determined people can accomplish amazing things. (More about this organization in another article.)

Teasdale area residents were much saddened when the Amusement Hall was closed some years ago and the lovely Teasdale Chapel was demolished, these buildings being historic anchors that were at the heart of our small town. The Hall and Chapel held meaning for all of us—LDS and non-LDS alike. The Chapel added beauty and quaintness to Teasdale in addition to its religious function, and what we had come to know as the Cultural Hall was still providing a venue for activities as diverse as memorial services, basketball and voting. And so, when the “little white church” (as it was affectionately known by many of us) was torn down, and the only venue for community functions was closed, truly the heart went out of Teasdale—for all residents.

After being closed for several years the Amusement Hall was put up for sale by the LDS Church in 2017. An interim buyer, Chris Boswell, purchased the building with the hope of preserving it. On discovering the existence of the Teasdale Historical Society, already established and holding the same intention, he graciously resold it to the Society. Included in the Society’s purchase proposal is the promise that should Teasdale Town ever incorporate, the Society will transfer ownership to the town.

There are towns and then there are communities. Spaces where citizens can congregate help a town to become a true community. These spaces can be as diverse as farmers markets, libraries, or book stores, but there has to be something. The first public building in Teasdale, the original LDS meeting house—that small frame building still in existence, now owned by the DUP—was not large enough for all the needed activities. Neither was the Teasdale Rock Meeting House dating from 1910 (later replaced by the World War II era Chapel). No existing building was large enough for inclusive town gatherings. For the sake of community a new building had to be, and so one arose.

Built in 1917-1918, the Amusement Hall was designed to be a dance hall and recreation center—big enough for the entire town population to gather, to enjoy themselves and each other at the Saturday night dances, at other events such as plays, eventually at Friday night movies, and for sports. Many funerals and weddings were held there, and even church services during the decade of the building of the Chapel. The Hall was built through the labor and contributions of all the townspeople. The design, emulating the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, was conceived by Ernest Jackson, chair of the building committee, and the total cost of $5,998.98 was covered by the people of Teasdale, prior to the building’s dedication.

Teasdale was a true community.

There are residents in Teasdale who remember these dances with great fondness, the local bands that played the music, and young boys competing to see if any of them could throw a basketball high enough to hit the domed ceiling (since hidden with a dropped ceiling). Initially the Hall had no kitchen or bathroom facilities. In due course a WPA sanitation station was built (the little stone structure just east of the Hall). At dinner functions the dishes had to be brought over to the Amusement Hall from the Chapel, taken back to someone’s house to be washed, then returned to storage at the Chapel. People made do in this way until the addition containing modern facilities was added during the early 1980s.

In Teasdale’s earlier days this center of activity was vital in creating a vibrant community, providing for frequent interaction amongst residents. Now we have the opportunity to help restore that heart or at least part of it—to bring back community activity and spirit, to have a place for citizens to congregate, enjoy life and each other.

It is the hope of the board members of the Teasdale Historical Society that the revival of this hall will once again promote that spirit. Following additional inspection, any work needed to stabilize and preserve the structure so that it is safe to occupy will be undertaken as quickly as possible. Already the Board has obtained a State appropriation that is helping with costs; other grants are being explored. Expenses will still be considerable of course, and this is where the rest of the community comes in—think fundraising events and donations.

Bonnie Mangold for the Teasdale Historical Society