16 BULLETIlSr 825, U. S. DEPAETMEIirT OF AGRICULTUKE. 



Tennis tournaments are featured. 



The women's department holds frequent sales of embroidery and 

 other forms of needlework made by the women. 



The library and reading rooms are much used. 



Motion-picture shows are conducted every Wednesday and Satur- 

 day evening under the auspices of the association. Efforts are made 

 to exhibit only the best pictures. 



The house is in constant demand for farmers' meetings, school 

 entertainments, private parties, dances, and suppers, and for use 

 by church clubs. 



COMMUNITY BUILDING, ELGIN, NEBR. 



On January 1, 1917, the citizens of the little village of Elgin, Nebr., 

 and the surrcjunding country met to celebrate the consummation of 

 their united efforts; to dedicate, in this town of less than 1,000 

 inhabitants, a new community building, a civic achievement well 

 worthy of their pride. 



The building grew out of the fact that the town band was about to 

 dissolve. A civic meeting was called, other civic needs became 

 apparent, attention was centered on them by local leaders of enthu- 

 siasm and vision, community spirit was aroused, a club was deemed 

 necessary as a working instrument, and the building was projected 

 as a home for the club. The general purpose of the building was 

 to serve as ''a clearing house for all social activities." With this in 

 view the opera house was bought in 1916, reconstructed, and dedicated 

 as the social center of the town and vicinity. Among the specific 

 objects of the building were the following: 



1 . A home for the community club. 



2. Provision for rest and recreation facilities for town and country 

 people. 



3. A general meeting place for local organizations, public and 

 private. 



4. A place for lectures, entertainments, etc. 



5. Development of civic pride and local citizenship through an 

 oj^en forum. 



6. A public reading room and library. 



7. Development of the spirit of the community through encourage- 

 ment of bands, choruses, sings, etc. 



8. To give representative citizens control of the amusement enter- 

 prises of the community. 



9. To unite town and country forces for the welfare of both. 

 The cost of the building m.ay be summarized as follows: 



Original purchase of real estate and opera house $10, 515. 00 



Original purchase of fiuriiture 735. 00 



Total original cost 11, 250. 00 



Cost of reconstruction, additional furniture and equipment. 12, 851. 46 



Total cost 24, 101. 46 



