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Grange Hall that historic place on the Grange Hall Road southwest of Gurnee, a hall which, for years was the center of social activity in that section of the country district, when not in use for social affairs was used as the distributing point for foodstuffs which were purchased at wholesale and dealt out to stockholders in “The Grange” in order to cut down the pro fits of the “middleman”—this famous little building, has been moved from its site and is being converted into a Barn on the Oscar Whitmore place, just to the south of the old site. The land on which the hall stood reverts to the owner of the farm of which it originally, was a portion, the present owner being Mr. Thomassen Originally it belonged to the Dwight Hervey farm but, then the society known as “The Grange’ was formed in 1S77, the land was obtained from Mr Harvey with the express provi sion that, whenever the hall was abandoned, moved away or ceased to exist, the site would again become a west of the Harvey farm. It is on the corner of the Grange Hall road and the one leading to Gage’s Lefie, right near the Feezer place. But, what's the se trying to tell where it is? Every lody knows where Grange Hall is for was. Interesting Landmark. No landmark in this section of the county is more important from a his torical standpoint than this same Grange Hall. It was built in 1877 by a Lady of men who banded together for two purposes: FIRST—To make purchases of food stuffs at wholesale and bring them in quantities to the hall as a distribut ing point, thus cutting out the pro fits of the middle man SECOND—As a social center for use in social affairs of the community, and, for years it was always available without costs for any meetings where there was no admission; charges were made for the place when admission 43 asked. The society formed contained about sixty members who called themselves “The Grange.” That is how the road came to be called “Grange Hall Road.” This society for many years operated with marked success, according to old residents, who state that they held down the high prices for many years. Capt. Nathaniel Vose was the first “Master” of the Grange. He was called “Master Vose” which meant that he was head of The Grange. While the society did much in keep ing down living cost through its me thod of purchasing by wholesale, the hall jumped into popularity as a meet ing place and social center. Dances, socials, etc were held regularly for many years. “Grange Hall dance” was sufficient to draw crowds from Weukegan and all parts of the coun ty. People used to drive from Antoch and even from Half-Day and other points to attend some big dance there. Mothers and fathers of today in lake County, as boys and girls, learn ed to dance at Grange hall; many of them now think back how it was an easy thing for them then to drive through the snow or rain twenty or more miles to Grange Hall, dance until the small hours of the morning and then drive home—and get up the next day feeling fine. They now re call how they did it; they now wonder how they did it and got away with it. No dance hall in Lake County ever attained the popularity which Grange hall obtained and carried all the time it was used for the purpose. The springing up of the country stores, the rural delivery, the quick express and freight service—all these caused the idea of wholesale purchase rs of foodstuffs to lose its effect and gradually as the older members be gan to die off, the whole plan aban doned automatically until for some years nothing along that line was tried and it was given up entirely to ances, socials, etc. But, times even changed in the social line and, some time ago the men who originally put money into it and who were left here to see it decline in use age and pop ularity, decided to accept the offer of Oscar Whitmore to purchase the build ing. They closed the deal and Mr. Whitmore moved the building to his farm, just south and is converting it into a barn. The money received from the sale is being divided among those who invested in it originally. Lake county never has had a congressman! It has always helped give the honor to a Cook county resident, just because, as the natural order of things, Lake county has been kept as a part of the district which includes the north portion of Cook county. Isn’t it about time that Lake county, a county almost as important as Cook itself, be given a member of Congress? The general feeling is that such is the case. Former Mayor Bullock of Wauk is seeking the nomination on the Republic ticket. He is made good in the several offices he has already held and if elected congressman, will be heard from with credit at Washington, and incidentally Lake county will get that which it is entitled to and has been entitled to for many years—A CONGRESSMAN. Shall Cook county continue to be the head and take the tail of the dog? Shall the head wag the tail FOREVER? Surely there is an end to this indifference of feeling. Let us this year do that which will give us a Congressman by helping nominate’ W. ‘8. Bullock. Mr. Bullock has been assured the support to the very limit of the Brundage organization in the Cookey portion of the district. If Lake county sticks by its can didate the Congressional honor will be its reward for the first time in history.
Newspaper Details
Libertyville Lake County Independent and Waukegan Weekly Sun
Libertyville, Illinois, US
Fri, Aug 28, 1914
Page 16
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 14 Jan 2026
Other Publications Near Libertyville, Illinois
Libertyville Lake County Independent and Waukegan Weekly Sun
Libertyville Independent
Libertyville Lake County Independent
