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About Us > Historic Town Hall
 In
the mid-nineteenth century, the citizens of the new farming
community of Lafayette took issue with decisions of the County
Supervisors. The early residents were dissatisfied with matters
such as the granting of permits for developments in the area
and the county's performance of road and drain maintenance
locally. Some alleged that the streets were only resurfaced
when a supervisoral election was due.
In 1911, a group of leading citizens, including several merchants,
formed the Lafayette Improvement Club (LIC). From the time
the organization was formed until the city incorporated in
1968, the LIC remained the “political thorn” in the County
Supervisors' side.
One of the first pieces of business was to construct a building which could be used for community meetings and social events. The search for property ended in 1913 when Frank and Rosa Ghiglione deeded a property to the LIC and donated $200 towards building costs. With other financial contributions and labor donated by the citizens of Lafayette, a building was completed in May, 1914.
The first event in the new Town Hall was a Grand Ball, the first of many Saturday night dances in Lafayette. This new social activity became so popular that the LIC requested that the Sacramento Northern Railroad provide a special train from Oakland to the West Lafayette Station so people could walk to Town Hall. Evenings would begin at 9:00 p.m., with a multi-course supper served at midnight, followed by more dancing. It was reported that one train left the Lafayette station at 5:30 a.m.!
In 1941, LIC was reorganized under a new constitution and became today's Lafayette Improvement Association (LIA). Town Hall continued to be used by many organizations in many ways. Lafayette Grammar School used the facility as its auditorium until the school auditorium was built in 1944. Activities included community meetings, church services, movies, and basketball. In 1941 theatrical performances were launched by the Lafayette Playshop. Their opening night was December 3, 1941, the eve of the U.S. entry in World War II. During the next four years, the building's use was devoted to the war effort.
 Live
theater returned to Lafayette in 1947 when the Straw Hat Review
rented Town Hall. In 1955, the Dramateurs began performing.
From 1956 till 1986, a local group entertained local residents
with a show called "The Laf-Frantics."
The Dramateurs reorganized as Town Hall Theatre Company in
1991 and continues to flourish today. Three times, from 1992
through 1995, The Town Hall Theatre Company won Shellie Awards
for the Best Production in Contra Costa County. Major renovations
have been completed, including the addition of air conditioning,
repositioning of the seating area, the installation of new
seats, and the installation of a lift (elevator) for our handicapped
patrons.
From the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce
Business and Community Directory, 1996-97
(Source: Lafayette Historical Society)
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