Folsman

by

History of Plain City Pt 3

I have two copies of the History of Plain City, Utah. The front indicates it is from March 17th 1859 to present. As far as I can tell, the book was written in 1977. At least that is the latest date I can find in the book.

One copy belonged to my Grandparents Milo and Gladys Ross. My Grandpa has written various notes inside the history which I intend to include in parenthesis whenever they appear. They add to the history and come from his own experience and hearing.

I will only do a number of pages at a time. I will also try to include scanned copies of the photos in the books. These are just scanned copies of these books, I have not tried to seek out originals or better copies.

History of Plain City March 17th 1859 to present, pages 39 through 43.

Former Relief Society Presidents Prior to 1948

Mary Ann Geddes, Laura Moench Jenkins, Ismilda England, Nellie Ward Neal, Lavina Telford, Cerilla Palmer, Sarah Y Knight
Relief Society Prior to 1946.
Relief Society Singing Mothers Early 1960’s
First brass band organized in Plain City.
Pioneer Trio (l-r): Alminda Johnson (Harmonica), Ina Poulsen (Harmonica), Florence Singleton (Accompanist)

This group performed for many years at Ward and town recreation activities. Elizabeth Lund joined the group after as a Whistler.

HISTORY OF PLAIN CITY RECREATION HALL

Pioneer settlers of the early communities loved to dance. Plain City residents began dancing on bare dirt floors four months after arriving here. Later, they danced in homes and school houses.

One school house was an adobe building on the south side of the side of the square. Local talent was used for the music and entertainment.

An amusement hall, where dances were held, was located between the Leah Penman home and the George Weatherston home, where Lynn Folsman’s home now stands. It faced west, with a raised stage in the west end. This property was deeded to the L.D.S. Church in December, 1906.

An Act of Congress, dated April 24, 1820, entitled “An act making further provisions for the sale of public lands, etc.,” Utah Territory, U.S.A., signed by President Ulysses S. Grant, gave a tract of land 640 acres for the townsite of Plain City.

Some of this property was deeded to Charles Weatherston December 9, 1898. Mr. Weatherston deeded a lot to the Church when George W. Bramwell was Bishop.

The recreation hall was destroyed by fire before 1912. Since then, the property has been deeded back to Weatherstons.

An open air dance hall was built just west of the present L.D.S. Chapel in 1925. It was a community landmark and had an extra special dance floor. Later, it was closed in so it could be enjoyed in the winter months.

The Church Center had just been completely remodeled on the inside, including a basketball court, a beautiful modern kitchen, and other features, when it was destroyed by fire April 22, 1967.

Plain City Chapel dedicated 1889 looking from Northwest.
Rear of Chapel. This addition was built in 1914 which added a kitchen, several class rooms and a recreation hall upstairs.
Arts (Art Simpson) Dance Band played for most of the dances held in the recreation hall that burned down in 1967. They also played throughout the county.
Boy Scout Band organized by L Rulon Jenkins in 1934. They rode around the town on a truckbed on the Fourth of July at daybreak playing lively music to awaken the residents and summon them to the celebration on the Town Square. They also performed on other occasions.
Kitchen Band played for most of the dances held in the recreation hall that burned down in 1967. They also played throughout the county.

The Recreation Hall was built in 1924. The first dance was held July 20, 1924. Additions were added in 1966 when the building was renovated. A kitchen was added, also facilities for basketball.

Kitchen of renovated addition.

This building was destroyed by fire in April 1967.

This building was first built as an open air dance hall and was later enclosed so it could be used in the winter months.

Basketball court and interior of renovation.