Some in Port Royal would claim that the town had an earlier community building. Those who would make such a claim usually point to the second floor of the Charles Swartz building on Sixth Street as the first community hall. (That building eventually housed the Foltz Grocery and in 2012 a Flooring Store.)
The present Community Hall was started by a ground breaking ceremony on August 4th, 1955. W. W. "Win" Naylor lifted the first shovel of earth while G. M. Runkle, C. W. Taylor, H. S. Deen and Grover Wolfgang, all charter members of the fire company, watched. The dedication services were held April 1956 and the mortgage was burned by General Homer Groninger at a service on Monday evening, January 16, 1961.
This building, which cost $36,000, has become the place for most community activities. Dances, roller skating, basketball banquets, meetings and many high school activities use it. Since 1959 the meeting rooms have become polling places where borough residents vote for local, state and national officials.
The fire house makes up part of the building. The first fire house was located in the rear of the Juniata Valley Bank and faced Third Street.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 10/18/19 - Image Year: 1955
ARCHITECTURAL DRAWING: Drawing for the building as envisioned. (Photo courtesy of Wayne Taylor)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 5/16/14 - Image Year: 2007
FOURTH (FAIRVIEW) STREET: an aerial view of the southern third of Fairview intersecting with Milford Street to the south as represented by Google Maps.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 10/13/12 - Image Year: 2012
TVHS 1962 Basketball Scoreboard is returned to Port Royal PA Community Building. TVHS Basketball Scoreboard used from about 1956 to 1968 in Port Royal PA Community Building was seen in hall entrance to building on Friday Sep 28, 2012 at TVHS Reunion during Bicentennial Celebration weekend. (photo submitted by Harold Hartman, Jr.)
Contributed by letwet on 1/17/16 - Image Year: 1955
An article on the beginning of the financial drive to construct the community hall in August 1955.
Contributed by letwet on 1/17/16 - Image Year: 1955
An article describing the groundbreaking for the community hall on August 4, 1955.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 10/18/19 - Image Year: 1955
GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY: Early members of Friendship Fire Company (l-r) Elliott Towsey, Harry Dean, Winfield Naylor, George Runkle, Wilbur Taylor and Grover Wolfgang. (Photo courtesy of Wayne Taylor)
Contributed by letwet on 1/17/16 - Image Year: 1956
An article describing the dedication of the community hall in April 1956
Contributed by rkohler3 on 10/19/19 - Image Year: 2016
MEETING TO DISCUSS BUILDING RENOVATIONS (Article courtesy of Wayne Taylor)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 10/19/19 - Image Year: 2016
MEETING DISCUSSING RENOVATIONS (Article courtesy of Wayne Taylor)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 12/30/16 - Image Year: 2016
INTERIOR OF BUILDING: The main room of the building after refurbesing on 2016. (Photo by Wayne Taylor)
Contributed by cats on 9/19/09
TVES used this building as classrooms. CB1 was near the kitchen, and CB2 was behind the stage. Shower rooms were added for use after gym classes. Our spring concerts were in the gym. The gym was converted into a magical room for proms. I have so many good memories of the activities held in this building that also was part of our TVES campus. We walked from TVES down Main Street and crossed at Fourth Street to get to our classes in the building unless it rained, and then we were bussed.
Contributed by leitzels on 9/23/09
My sister's wedding reception was the first event held in the social room of the firehall. This was for Carol Isenberg and Abe Harbst on August 11, 1956
Contributed by crazyblond8 on 9/19/09
I remember roller skating there in the 70"s every Friday night.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 10/20/19 - Image Year: 1945
COMMUNITY HALL ON 6TH STREET: Before the current community building was in place, there was a community hall in the upper floor of the C. V. Swartz Store and Garage located near the Sixth Street entrance to the Juniata County Fairgrounds. Charles is pictured here with Charles Millikin who owned the funeral home next door. The Hall Entrance can be seen between the two large windows in the photo. (Photo courtesy of Wayne Taylor)
