GRAY HISTORY
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Gray Memorial Hall

​When Gray was first settled the Barber and Billiards  building allowed their upstairs level to serve as a community hall (1912-19). A trial was held there in 1917.
In 1919, when the Gray Grain Growers Association purchased the Rose building, the upper level was then designated as community hall until the building was condemned in 1938. Functions included concerts, dances, annual 'Oyster Suppers', card parties, wrestling bouts and even a small circus (one lady remembered watching a bear being taken up the stairs - there was an outside stairway on the north side of the building for event access). When it was necessary for this structure to be demolished, the Grain Growers donated the building (and lot) to the town.
The Gray Memorial Hall was built adjacent to the old building in 1950 and named to commemorate those who had served in the World Wars. Volunteers re-used much of the material (lumber and hardwood floor) in the new structure. The plans were borrowed from the recently built Kronau Hall with several adaptations. Construction began in June. Following harvest (November 11) concrete was poured. Local groups fundraised and donated items to furnish the new facility - from dishes to tables and chairs. Etchwood was ordered for the walls. Completion and furnishing continued over the next few years. A projector was purchased in 1953 and movie nights began.
Prior to running water, volunteers had to haul water in 5-gallon pails. Think of the volume required for dish-washing at Fowl Supper time!
Renovations/upgrades over the years include; electricity (1954), stoves converted to gas (1964), running water (1976), new shingles and front step (1981), accessible ramp, bathrooms in the basement (1982), roof cladding, accessible bathroom on main floor (2013).
​Gray Memorial Hall is still a well-used facility and hosts several community and private events each year. 
served as hall 1912-17
Gray Grain Growers 1919-38
Built 1949 - photo 1970's
as we view it today

Memories of 'the build'

  • The 8mm film is from the family archives of Dean Boesch. Note the year should read 1950 (not 1949). If anyone can identify any of the participants, please Contact Us.
  • Three lots were purchased. Ron Houghtaling was hired as foreman for the framing of the building.
  • Norton Frei and Bill Gillis (in their late teens/early twenties) were tasked with tearing down (and saving each piece of) the previous structure on the property. After many days (maybe weeks) of working on rafters, Bill developed some vertigo and had to remain on the ground for a period.
  • the tractor in the film was made and driven by Gerald Ohrt. Built from scratch with a Briggs and Stratton engine for use around the yard. For this project, to make a bucket to carry concrete back and forth, he cut a barrel in half and rigged it to the front.
  • not seen in the film, but Dave Helstrom remembers they had the only front-end loader at that time and it was on site.
  • probably 6-7 small cement mixers were used and as many men running wheelbarrows - guessing these were short shifts as that would be quite a load - and up a rather steep ramp. Five hundred bags of cement were purchased for the project.
  • 2-ton truck was identified as Gottlieb Boesch Jr's
  • Laurence Boesch remembers that he and his brother Peter were not allowed to help. Gottlieb Sr felt they were needed on the farm. Some hard feelings developed and may be a reason why Laurence was so invested in the rink build 25 years later.
  • Basement floor poured November 11 1950 (how appropriate it was Veteran's/ Remembrance Day). Only person identified in the film is Drex Ford (near the end - lower left corner, standing/ chatting).
​

Hamlet of Gray has present day info.
  • Home
    • People
    • Places >
      • Buck Lake Church
      • Grain Elevators
      • Gray Businesses
      • Gray Cemetery
      • Gray Memorial Hall
      • Gray Museum/#306 SHoF >
        • 306 Sports Hall of Fame >
          • Rose Baker
          • Garth Boesch
          • Myrna Bonsor
          • Jesse Bratt
          • Ernie Dunning
          • Walter Dunning
          • Estlin 306's
          • Anita Ford
          • Atina Ford
          • Cindy Ford
          • Gary Ford
          • Ford Curling Team
          • Frei Curling Team
          • Crystal Frisk
          • Bill Gillis
          • KC Gillis
          • Morley Gooding
          • Dale Henry
          • Kawuza brothers
          • Clarence "Shoop" Lafoy
          • Wylie LaFoy
          • Don Lewis
          • Kristy Lewis
          • Lisa Lewis Kuski
          • Peter Noll
          • Gerald O'Brien
          • Mac Paton
          • George Spry
          • Fred Van de Kamp
          • Harold Webster
          • 2014 Induction
        • Grid Map Ceiling
        • Three town diorama
        • Displays and Artifacts
      • Gray Rink
      • Gray School
      • Gray Shortline RR
      • Gray United Church
      • Pioneer Windmill
      • Rural Municipality
      • Town Lots and Residents
      • Town images - aerial and other
    • Sports and Clubs >
      • Baseball
      • Children's Groups
      • Curling and Bonspiels
      • Figure Skating
      • Hockey
      • Ice Making
      • Ladies Groups
      • Masonic Lodge
      • Softball/Fastball
    • Timeline/Events >
      • 1984 Homecoming
      • Aquifer
      • Stanley Cup
      • 2005 Sask Centennial
  • Contact Us