Bigfork Village Hall

Bigfork Village Hall with its original windows

Bigfork Village Hall

200 Main Avenue

A WPA-Built Center for Bigfork

Bigfork City Hall was built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in 1936 at a cost of $20,000. It was constructed with an exterior finish of local fieldstone.

The attached garage on the north end originally housed the fire trucks. That area later became the library, serving in that role until about the year 2000.

In the basement were a dining room, kitchen, council room, furnace room, washrooms, and a cloakroom.

The upstairs was a versatile gathering space, with movable chairs and room for about 200 people. Movies used to be shown there, and the balcony was where the projector room was reconstructed during the last remodel.

It has become a community center for Bigfork.

Built by the WPA

Completed in 1936, Bigfork City Hall is a product of the Works Progress Administration. Its exterior was finished with local fieldstone, giving the public building a strong connection to the landscape and materials of the surrounding area.

A Building of Many Uses

01

Fire Hall

The attached garage on the north end originally housed Bigfork’s fire trucks.

02

Public Library

The former garage later became the library and served in that role until about 2000.

03

Community Center

The building has continued its civic role as a community center for Bigfork.

Designed for Civic Life

The hall contained spaces for government, dining, entertainment, public gatherings, and essential building services.

Basement

The basement included a dining room, kitchen, council room, furnace room, washrooms, and a cloakroom.

Upstairs Hall

Movable chairs allowed the upstairs gathering space to accommodate about 200 people.

Movies and Projection

Movies were shown in the hall, with a projector room located in the balcony and reconstructed during the last remodel.

Bigfork Village Hall Today

The local fieldstone exterior remains one of the building’s defining architectural features.

East exterior of Bigfork Village Hall
East exterior of Bigfork Village Hall Itasca County Historical Society

A Continuing Community Center

From fire trucks and library shelves to movies, public meetings, and community events, Bigfork Village Hall has adapted to the changing needs of the community while retaining its WPA-era fieldstone character.

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