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In the
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In the News! Grange Hall to Become Dance Studio
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Former Soquel Grange Leaves an Agricultural Past Behind
Grange Hall to Become Dance Studio
By Linda Fridy
After years of disrepair and occasional use, the former Soquel Grange has been sold and refitted as a dance studio. Santa Cruz Dance Company began holding classes at the Porter Street building this summer.
The Soquel site was one of several Granges in Santa Cruz County, with others in Live Oak, Aptos, Mount Madonna, Corralitos and Scotts Valley. At the time of its founding in 1954, it boasted 182 members, according to the state Grange association.
The building's transition reflects the change of Soquel from a rural, agricultural town to a more suburban setting.
The Grange movement aims to bring together people with an interest in agriculture, land and the laws that govern them. Formed in 1867, its national site describes the Grange as " America's first agricultural fraternity" with 350,000 members nationwide.
"It just dwindled down until we didn't have enough interest. And it needed so many repairs," said Doris Anderson, a long-time member who oversaw the sale.
The few remaining members transferred to the Aptos Grange on Mar Vista Avenue, which is still active. Proceeds from the building's sale went to the state organization, Anderson said, and Aptos will be allowed to draw from the sale proceeds to update its facility and help with its scholarships and other efforts.
Grange Still Active in California
Anderson recalled that the Soquel branch first met in the old bank building until a member loaned the money to purchase the Grange building. She remembers crawling under the building after the flood in 1982 with her son and husband, who was the Grange Master. They had to dig out the mud to keep it from pushing up the floors.
In recent years, the Soquel Grange hosted uses as diverse as Narcotics Anonymous meetings and Scottish country dances.
The Santa Cruz Live Oak Grange on Chanticleer is one of the few local halls still active in its original capacity of supporting agriculture. In response to a decline in membership, the Live Oak Grange adopted a focus on sustainable and organic practices, which helped it remain viable. Members also discuss legislation and take positions on issues that affect agriculture and land use, but don't endorse specific candidates.
The organization is still active within California, and has its annual convention set for October in Sacramento.
Anderson is pleased to see the old Grange fixed up, and noted that it still has a connection to her family. Her great-grandson, a Soquel High graduate who is now in Kansas on a full dance scholarship, once trained with the Grange's new owner. |
