Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1920-07-22

ket ball. There are also a social room for pool,
cards, and other games, which is used for a
general informal meeting room a mmitte room,
two rooms for caretakers, two coat rooms, five
paths, toilets, four bowling alleys, and heater and
storage rooms. The basement also contains a
weli-equipped kitchen. The house is entirely self
supporting through the earnings of the recreation
department, the receipts from motion-picture
SHOWS. entertainments, dances, card parties, pool
taples, bowling alleys, basketball games, and the
rental or the auditorium for lectures and con-
certs. An average of 800 people use the build
ing weekly.
Two problems faced the people of Woodstock,
living in the open country, far from town or rail-
way, in Shelby county, Tennessee. They were
animated by a strong desire for the betterment Of
community life. A cooperative club had been
formed, but there was no adequate meeting place,
no building whose arrangement would lend itself
to the successful carrying out of their plans.
Moreover, these farming people could not COM
mand funds sufficient for the erection of such q
building.
The second problem was what to do with their
two-room schoolhouse, abandoned through CONSOLE
dation, the pupils being transferred several miles
to the new building. The schoolhouse, old
and dilapidated, had been used as a gypsy camp,
and the school authorities had offered it for sale
for 5000.
Both problems were soon solved by the decision
of the club to secure control of the old building,
and to reconstruct and equip it as their social
center home.
The club had fixed as its purpose "the better
ment of community life from the social, educa-
tional, and economic standpoint" and had planned
an ambitious but practical program for its ac-
complishment. 1t had enrolled practically every
person in the neighborhood over sixteen years of
olaotnd thn I1Sua1 officers toonthpr with a
board of six directors, who were given charge of
the carrying out of the building plans, and APP
pointed committees on sanitation, education, civic
Identification. and recreation.
After the proper guaranty Of its future use for
civic welfare, the county school officials were
induced to give an indefinite lease of the grounds
and building to the cooperative club, the county
retaining title. Then began a fine example of
community co-operation in public work. The
grounds, two acres in extent, were put into con-
dition and the building reconstructed, entirely
through voluntary effort, Some gave lumber,
some labor, some material, some equipment. All
took part.
The club realized the value of a pleasant ap-
proach and beautiful setting for. their home. APP
preaching roads were laid out, the grounds were
leyeled and drained, trees, both useful and orna-
mental, were planted, weeds were destroyed, and
gravel walks were laid. leading In various direc-
tons. At the front of the house beds Of fragrant
flowers were planted, AS an aid to their future
club work in experimental agriculture, the vacant
space in the rear was planted to vegetables and
berries. In connection with this a well was dug
and a pump installed.
The building was neatly painted without and
within, rugs, shades, and curtains placed, floors
waxed, and the walls hung with appropriate pic
lures. The furniture Installed included a number
Of easy chairs, several dozen folding chairs, a
library table, bookcases, a heating stove, an oil
stove, several dining tables, a kitchen cabinet,
china and glassware, cutlery, and kitchen uten-
sis. The building Is Of cottage form, one story
high. and is provided with an entrance, hall, 8 BY
20 feet, used also ais a library and reading room
an assembly hall p by 40 feet, with stage, and
a dining room and kitchen of the same size. The
plant Is valued at $500 and Is a signal monu-
ment to community spirit and practical neighbor-
hood cooperation and a fine example OF what
may be accomplished in a rural community Of
limited financial resources.