CRESWELL CIVIC IMPROVEMENT CLUB BUILDING
195 S. Second St.
1874; The first public building, city school was built on land donated by Alvin Hughes. This was a wooden two-story structure 30 ft by 40 ft, (1,335) built between 4th and 5th Street south of Oregon Ave. J.P.Currin was the first teacher/Superintendent . Where were s stairs located? No evidence on inside or outside?
1876; Upper story burns in a fire. (This did not happen in the 1883 fire that engulfed Creswell, as many suppose.) I believe there was a fire resulting from some carelessness with the wood-burning stove, used to heat the second floor.
The interior when used as the library
1896 According to Centennial Booklet A second school replaces first school and shows Professor Ford outside of the school. The ESD records state the new school built in 1898.
This second school is the building later moved to the Presbyterian property.
1897; Old school sold to Oregon Baptist Society and moved to new site (2nd and D Street) and remodeled into a church. The old white benches, still at the old library, are evidence of their church benches. Many records state it was moved by horses in 1898.
During the period that the Baptist Association (NOT connected to current Baptist Church) owned the church, it was also used by the community as a meeting place. The Baptists “met sporadically”. There probably was no “live-in”preacher, one who lived here but, rather visiting clergymen and or substitute preachers who “supplied the pulpit. And services were not held regularly.
1926 Building sold to CCIC for $150.Sale became final in 1927.Remodled into clubhouse by the many volunteers .What might have been done to change a church environment into a clubhouse? Was this when the kitchen was built? The CCIC had a lot of pot-lucks and “eating“, all during their period. They referred to the kitchen and buying a stove etc. I believe the kitchen was built in 1927. What about the bathroom? Certainly there were indoor bathrooms in 1927.I would venture both the kitchen and bath were added to the building or remodeled at this time. There was a certain water system that required” shutting off the water when they left the building” At another reference it was said something about a cistern under the building that overflowed.
It was referred to as “clubhouse” in minutes of CCIC. Much later, (according to Charlene Neff) it was referred to as “The library” This was in the period as the CCIC was much less active and the library gained a more positive and prominent resource to the community
The members of CCIC met in homes until after the building was remodeled in 1927; From then on till they became inactive they used this clubhouse. And it was also used by many other groups.
1933; Plans for plumbing in kitchen were discussed. They continued having plumbing
1935; Repair work completed in kitchen, cost $21.
1938; Pipes burst in kitchen.1938; A vertical grain floor will be laid in clubroom.
The city laid water mains. Check for changes in property line.
1948; Discussion about building a back porch, estimated cost $400, certain mills offered donated lumber.
Leak in roof fixed Leaking around windows was caulked. It was suggested to install a front porch.
1957; Remove tree from next door. Cleaning of club every three months or so.
1960; Club asked city to paint outside of club. Paint to cost $40. Veterans may paint the hall.
.1961; Roof needs work, group “may” have repair work done.
1965-66; Discussed paneling the inside walls.
1967; Walls and Ceiling done. Kitchen cleaned with help from “Country Critters”.
1968; Back steps repaired
1970 Kitchen Cupboards cleaned, got rid of mice.
1971 J.C.'s help with repairs; worked on chimney.
1972; J.C.'s offer to re-roof for cost of $263.
***re-roof the kitchen and wood-shed, rewire the building, install a new kitchen sink Insurance company said paneling too close to stove and will be fixed. Still no hot water in building.
1973: Pipes freeze in BR, need a new tank.
1974; J.C.'s will reroof building for $263.
1975; Hall left open and water turned on. Leak in roof over bathroom. cost $190. New locks to be installed, too many are “out”. Neighbors complain about bats.
The Lions will paint building a dark gray. Pierce Roofing will remove and install new roof for $156. Mr. Campbell thanked for all the repair work he does for club.
1980; Building painted by City. A new roof put on porch. Building deeded to city of Creswell in 1980. We have a copy of deed. City may have records of work done by city.
City workers removed woodstoves, installed heating system and lighting system.
City workers installed trim. Walls were washed (50 years of wood smoke and leaks from roof). Telephone service and first computer and (Internet in 1999.installed.
2000; Redoing of back-room, (dirt floor, unheated un-insulated wood shed.) converted to storage and work space for librarian.
2003; Contractor hired to enclose chimney, install sheet-rock on walls and ceiling, new wall-paper and paint new lightning and wainscoting. Bath-room decorated new curtains for both rooms.
2005; Library moved to new site on Oregon Ave, Left this old building in February 2005.
2006 ; Building empty .October 2006 CCIC-2 Committee formed to obtain National; Preservation Status for this building and Restore Building to a safe, improved historical site for the citizens of Creswell.