The Grange

During the 60's there were a lot of dances. They were mostly at schools, but sometimes at other venues most of which have faded from memory. But one place we went to a LOT was the Chili Grange. There were dances there with live bands on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons. The building was somewhere out in the country and even before we could drive, we somehow got a ride or hitched a ride.  The only thing I knew about the Grange was that it was some kind of meeting place for farmers. The building had steps in front leading up to the front doors and inside the doors a big open room, maybe the size of a basketball court. In front was a stage and I think there were some side doors towards the front of the hall. Below, with access from the parking lot was another floor where I seem to recall refreshments were served during the breaks.

The great thing about the Grange dances is that, unlike school dances, they were not chaperoned - there were no adults in sight - a place for teens. Nothing very weird happened but there were no adults to tell you how you should be dancing or not to smoke. Drinking wasn't allowed in the building.

The bands were sometimes the biggest draw of all. The only one I thought I remembered was The Invictas - although the names of other bands which were probably comparable just slipped from memory. I found this little note  which mentions a few more bands (Showstoppers, Herd, etc) which I certainly remembered when I read their names.

In the summer, the place was packed and sweltering and often on Sundays it was all but empty. When popular bands played, there would be a stampede to get in through the narrow front doors. All kinds of kids from all over the city would attend the Grange dances. That's part of what made them so different and exciting. It was the kind of place girls, in order to attend, might have to invent stories for their parents. But in looking back..... it was pretty tame - just an atmosphere of freedom from any watchful eyes and a chance to listen to loud rock and roll music.

One thing we never took notice of as teenagers was the Grange cemetery out back. (This cemetery link includes the location of the building as well.)