The Cannon Grange Hall

It is common for Subordinate Granges to own a building for meetings - called a Hall - and the building is often an old, interesting and historic structure. The Cannon Grange Hall is one of the best. It is located in the Cannondale section of Wilton at 25 Cannon Road just east off of Route 7 (Danbury Road). The Hall is a very short distance from Route 7 on the south side of Cannon Road between the railroad track and the Norwalk River.

The Cannon Grange Hall was constructed in 1899, the same year Cannon Grange was organized, as a community building for Cannondale. The building was purchased by Cannon Grange in March 1933. The mortgage was burned in 1939. Cannon Grange has met continuously in this building since 1899.

Being nestled on the bank of the Norwalk River had its one time disadvantage. Cannondale Bridge was wiped out and the Hall flooded in the Great Flood of 1955. Today, Cannon Grange provides park benches along the river for the enjoyment of trekkers.

Construction of the Hall

The Cannon Grange Hall was constructed in 1899. Specifications for the 1899 construction of the new building in Cannondale included

"Timber. Girder 6x8 Chestnut. Siles 6x6. Posts 4x[?]. Plates 4X6. Joists 3x8. Rafters 2x6. Trustes 4x6. Studding 2x4 set 18" to centers. Ceiling Joist 2x6 set 2' to centers and spiked to Rafters. Rafters 2' to centers. Ceiling Joist to be fastened to 4x6 Truses.

Sheathing. The Building to be covered with 8" Nor Col Matched.

Siding. All siding to be clear and well lapped.

Roof. Covered with Washington Red Ceder.

Flooring. To be 11/4 thick not more than 4" wide of first quality Georgia Pine.

Chimmes. To have 2 two chimmes 1"x16" of hard Brick laid in morter and cement one part morter one part cement.

Workmanship. All work done in a smooth and workman like manner and job left sound and complete.

Painting. All Wood work on outside to be Painted 2 coats of White lead and Linseed Oil in colors as may be directed. Inside to be finished with 2 coats of Hard Oil finish."

In about 1927 the existing well was dug (prior to that water was ported in by hand) and in 1937 a kitchen added to the west side of the Hall as well as was a furnace and rest rooms. Originally the Hall was lit with kerosene lamps suspended from the twenty foot ceilings. Later lamps were added to the side walls and now there is, of course, electric lighting.

Cannon Grange Hall prior to the 1937 addition of the kitchen and rest rooms on the west side. Note the out house in the east lawn by the Norwalk River.

In the 1960s the original stage was removed, extending the floor space by about one-third and bringing the Hall to its current configuration - sixteen hundred square feet in the main hall and a completely open floor plan, ideal for Grange meetings, banquets and other Grange and community activities.

Cannon Bridge as it were. Construction believed to be as of around the turn of the 19th Century.

In 1987 two old iron cook stoves were removed and a new gas range installed to meet government regulations. In 1990 a new kitchen floor was laid and rest room facilities upgraded. In 1993 the building exterior was sandblasted and re-painted white with green trim, the colors traditionally associated with the building. In 1975 the hardwood floors were refinished for the first time since the 1955 flood. The floors were re-done again in 1994. In 1996, as another major capital project, layers of old roof was removed and the building was sub-roofed and re-roofed. The roofers affirmed that the roof timbers still measured true square, attesting to the fine craftsmanship of the original construction. In 2006 and in the face of rising oil prices insulation was placed in the attic. The 1899 construction did not inslude any insulation.

One of the main objectives and financial obligations of Cannon Grange is upkeep of this historic building. The recent capital improvements were funded from years of saving money obtained mainly by the support of local people through proceeds from the Grange's annual Agricultural Fair and Hall rental.

Hall Rental

The Hall started as a community center and after acquisition by Cannon Grange remained available to community groups and others. Popular uses currently include wedding receptions and anniversaries, birthday parties, bridal and baby showers. In 1987 the Hall was the setting for a Country Time Lemonade commercial that featured members and friends of Cannon Grange. Past uses included "the Ladies Aid Society and Woman's Foreign Missionary society of the Zion Hill Methodist Episcopal church . . . for meetings, suppers and many other events" in the 1930s.

Enquiry's about Hall rental can be made by contacting any Cannon Grange member or writing to the President at Cannon Grange at P.O. Box 23, Wilton, Connecticut 06897.