Hotchkiss Memorial Hall

Hotchkiss Memorial Hall. . , When Kathleen Wheeler arrived in Hotchkiss in 1940, she saw the need for a recreational facility for youth to gather. The American Legion deeded five lots for a community building to honor veterans , especially those who had sacrificed their lives for our country. Construction began in 1949 with the community raising the funds to build and maintain the building. , The building was erected on the site of the Duke Bros General Merchandise Store, which opened in 1886. It was owned by three brothers, George, William and Edward, and provided a variety of supplies for new settlers. After an attempted robbery, the Bank of the North Fork was added in 1893. , After acquiring the site for the Memorial Hall, it was time to promote fundraising for the construction. With community support not a dime was ever borrowed. The primary fundraiser was the Kowboy Karnival. It ran from 1947-1971 and included parades, fat lamb sales, queen contests, dances, rodeos, races, and baseball games through the years. , This sign was made possible by a grant from The North Fork Heart and Soul Project and is presented by the Blue Sage Center for the Arts, the North Fork Historic Society and the Hotchkiss-Crawford Historical Society. For more information on the history of Hotchkiss and Crawford, visit the museum at 80 South 2nd Street.