Downieville Community Hall

A Place to Connect, Grow, and Thrive

The Downieville Community Hall is more than just a building; it is the heartbeat of Sierra County's historic Downieville. Founded during the California Gold Rush in late 1849, the town has always understood the importance of a central gathering place. Located in the center of town, the newly renovated Hall embodies this commitment to Embracing Community, Culture, and Care.

The recent, extensive renovations have transformed the facility into a modern, highly functional space:

Modern and Accessible: The Hall is now fully ADA compliant, featuring a lift to the second floor, ensuring the entire facility is accessible to everyone.
Premier Event Space: It boasts a brand new full industrial kitchen, new downstairs flooring and countertops, and modern bathrooms, making it perfect for banquets, weddings, community dinners, and workshops.
Flexible Rentals: Beyond the main space, the Hall offers flexible rental options, including the Upstairs, a dedicated Meeting Room, and the opportunity to rent tables and chairs for use at your own personal offsite location.

The History of the Downieville Community Hall

The Community Hall was built in 1954 on the site of the Old Upper Plaza. This location was a historic gathering place situated in Downieville, California, which was founded in late 1849 during the California Gold Rush. The town was named after Major William Downie, a Scotsman who led an expedition of miners to discover gold at the confluence of the Downie River and North Fork of the Yuba River. During Downieville's Gold Rush heyday in 1850, the town boasted 15 hotels, 4 bakeries, 4 butcher shops, and numerous saloons, with a peak population of over 5,000 people by 1851.

The Old Upper Plaza Site

The site of the present community hall was obtained by lease from the county, which had received it by donation from the Byington Estate, an estate that gave the ground to the town of Downieville for public use.

The Upper Plaza site was just a piece of open land where the kids would gather and play softball. It was also the ideal space for traveling entertainment. During the 19th century, traveling circuses were a major form of entertainment in America. The upper plaza in Downieville would have been an ideal open space for these traveling shows to set up their tents and entertain the mining community. The plaza would have served as a central gathering place for this bustling community, hosting various events and entertainments beyond circuses.

The Hall's Construction and History

The construction of the Community Hall in 1954 was a significant moment for the modern town. The building was dedicated that year alongside the new Courthouse, marking the dedication of two new public buildings. The lumber for building the Community Hall was provided by the Cal Ida lumber company, located about 30 minutes down the road and well-known in the area, as many Downieville residents worked there before the company closed.

The Community Hall project was sponsored by the Hugh E. Frye, Jr., Post, American Legion , and later the organization's name was changed to the Downieville Community Association. The project was replacing the original Memorial hall built in 1917, which stood approximately 100 feet north of the present site, now incorporated in the new school yard.

Construction saw massive community effort. In April 1953, 26 volunteers assembled to lay the footing for the two-story, 40 by 70-foot building. They poured 22 yards of concrete, with volunteers hauling gravel and lumber for the forms. Later, in September 1953, another 35 yards of gravel were hauled by volunteers, estimated to have cost over $200 at commercial rates.

The cornerstone ceremonies were held at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 31, 1953. The cornerstone, supplied by Father Virgil Gabrielli and cut by Carl A. Netz, was a piece of granite inscribed with "1953". A space was left in the foundation for a metal box containing papers and facts of the past and present. Items sealed in the vault included a history of the project, a list of public figures, a small flag, a coin of the year's mintage, and copies of The Mountain Messenger and Sierra Booster. The key to the vault was planned to be kept on public display in the Hall when completed.

The Hall’s construction also included a provision for the local volunteer force: When the Community Hall was erected, provision was made for the incorporating in it of a new fire-house. This historical tie reflects the strong ties with the Downieville Volunteer Fire Department, a relationship that continues today with the Hall serving as a key center for the department’s fundraising and a vital hub for community coordination during emergencies.

Additionally, the Hall played a role in energy resilience. The historical record indicates that in the middle 1960’s the Pacific Gas and Electric Company constructed an auxiliary diesel-powered plant to supply electric energy in the event of power outages during severe winter storms, a crucial measure for a community facility in the Sierra Nevada

American Legion Heritage and Community Celebrations

The Hall was sponsored by and often considered the American Legion Hall and was named after Hugh Frey, Jr., a descendant of the local Ponta family who traces back to the 1870s in Downieville. At some point, a plaque in the building honored him, anchoring the Hall to the town's local heritage and its military service history. The Downieville Veterans’ Community Association was a non-profit incorporated body dedicated to the Hall's erection, operation, and maintenance.

Fundraising was key to the building's completion. A benefit dinner of fried chicken and spaghetti, sponsored by the American Legion Post, raised over $500 for the building fund. The largest donation, apart from the $1,000 contributed by the Clampers, was a $500 contribution from Frank J. Byington in memory of deceased members of the Byington family. By early 1954, directors sought to raise the remaining $5,000 needed by issuing 50 promissory notes of $100 each to invite wider community participation.

The Hall immediately became the center of social life. About six dances a year were held on holidays and were very well attended. On Halloween, everybody would dress up in costume, prizes would be given out, and Marion Lavezzola usually won every year. Her daughter still lives in town, a testament to the community's persistent, multigenerational spirit.

These holiday dances reflected Downieville's strong sense of community that has persisted through the decades. Despite declining from its Gold Rush population of 5,000 to around 290 residents today, Downieville has survived and maintained its historic character.

Historical Note: Much of the detailed history regarding the founding, construction, and early features of the Community Hall is preserved through the meticulous research of local historian James J. Sinnott, particularly in his extensive writings on Downieville and Sierra County.

The Modern Community Hall

The Hall continues its legacy today as A Place to Connect, Grow, and Thrive. Embracing Community, Culture, and Care. The recent, extensive renovations, including a brand new full industrial kitchen, new flooring, new bathrooms, and a lift to the second floor for full ADA compliance, ensure this historic center remains vital. The Hall welcomes visitors participating in Outdoor Recreation activities such as fishing, mountain biking, motorcycling, kayaking, hiking, and gold panning, and stands ready to host the community for gatherings big and small.

Connecting the Community

A core part of the Hall's mission is its strong connection to local service groups. The facility maintains strong ties with the Downieville Volunteer Fire Department, often serving as a key center for the department’s fundraising, training, and community-focused events. This relationship underscores the Hall's role in the community's safety and well-being, functioning as a potential hub for coordination and support during local emergencies.

Social Hub: With the flexibility of the main hall, downstairs meeting room, and the convenience of the brand new full industrial kitchen, the Hall is ready to host everything from civic meetings and local government events to large-scale social functions like wedding receptions, holiday parties, and fundraisers.
Accessible for All: Achieving full ADA compliance with the addition of a lift to the second floor ensures that the entire community, regardless of mobility, can connect and participate in activities and events held throughout the facility.

Fostering Growth and Culture

The Hall provides the environment necessary for personal and cultural growth.

Educational and Wellness Center: The versatile spaces, from the intimate Meeting Room to the large Upstairs area, can be used for classes, workshops, and wellness programs. This promotes lifelong learning and physical health, helping residents develop new skills and ideas.
Cultural Showcase: The Hall is a natural stage for embracing culture, providing a venue for local artists, musicians, and historical societies to showcase the unique heritage and creative spirit of the Sierra County region. Events like the annual Downieville Annual Holiday on Main Celebration use the Hall's welcoming warmth to celebrate local traditions.

Providing Care and Support

The Hall is dedicated to serving the community through acts of care and resilience.

Essential Service: By being available at no charge for Memorials, the Hall offers a compassionate space during difficult times. This commitment reflects a deep sense of community responsibility.
Reliable Infrastructure: The investment in the extensive renovations—new industrial kitchen, modern bathrooms, and updated flooring—means the facility is robust and ready to serve as a reliable gathering point and resource, particularly important for a remote mountain town. The ability to rent Tables and Chairs for off-site events further extends the Hall's supportive reach directly into residents' personal lives.

In short, the Downieville Community Hall is a beautifully restored landmark that now truly stands as the anchor for the town—a place where people can gather, learn, celebrate, and support one another to ensure the community continues to thrive.

Reach out to us for inquiries, feedback, or to learn more about our programs and services.