Union Hall

Union Hall was constructed at a cost of $20,000 when a stock company was formed in 1867. The first board of directors comprised of some of the most prominent citizens of White Hall and surrounding towns including, L. E. Worcester, Simeon Ross, I. D. Vedder, E. M. Husted and E. A. Giller. They were known as the Union Hall Association. Judge Worcester supervised the project until it was completed

The main floor of the building was divided into two sides both measuring in at 22’ by 87’ and had impressive 14’ ceilings. At the time of its erection, the south side was used by Vedder and Worcester as a hardware, grocery and agricultural store. The north side was occupied by Bridges and Worcester as a dry goods and clothing store.

The Union Hall’s upstairs served two purposes. First as a meeting space for different organizations and second and most importantly, as an entertainment venue for the people of White Hall.

Along with meetings, concerts, social dances, and parties of all kinds, it also hosted many of the day’s most notable performers. A harvest hop, masquerade party, and a grand railroad ball were all held within the walls of this beautiful building.

In 1877, F. G. White’s Dramatic Company played six nights, and in the same year the Three Smallest People in the World performed. In the following year, comedian Cal Smith Russell and his group of musical stars entertained with a vaudeville type show that opened to great fanfare.

In 1905, M. B. Ross purchased the building and began work on the upstairs. He elevated the floor, replaced the old wooden chairs with comfortable opera chairs, added electric lights and made it capable of seating up to 600 guests. The stage itself was 28’ by 34’ in size.

The opera house remained under his ownership until January 17, 1930 when he sold to Lillian Ross who utilized the space for a glove factory. On July 17, 1933 it changed hands again to Receiver of the People’s First National Bank. It was sold many more times until October 12, 1953 when Boris Lyman purchased the building and remodeled it for use as the B & H Furniture Store.

The building still stands on Main Street currently used as the J & K Furniture Store owned by Jeff and Kim Fansler.