Temperance Hall

TEMPERANCE HALL REPAIR & REHABILITATION
A Placemaking Project

Summary

Built in 1882 by the International Order of Good Templars, Bayside Temperance Hall has served the community for 144 years! It has provided space for meetings, live music, worship, voting, community dinners, lecture series, education, celebrations and special events. Many dance classes have been offered here, including square dance, ballet and international folk dance.

The Bayside Grange was chartered in 1932. Grangers met at the Temperance Hall until the large grange hall was built in 1942 next to the Temperance Hall. A point of pride, the Temperance Hall has been continuously owned and maintained by local organizations since 1882. In 2013, the deed and legal ownership of the Hall and property were transferred to local nonprofit, Bayside Corners.

For 33 years, the Temperance Hall has been used by Mistwood Educational Center, a private, nonprofit school with an extraordinary academic program for grades K-12. After the corona virus pandemic, Bayside Corners’ board resumed quarterly meetings and has made Hall rehabilitation and site improvements its priority project.

Local gathering places are as important as ever to overcome social isolation and foster healthy neighborhoods. This Bayside placemaking project to beautify and make useful a declining public space is part of a national placemaking effort to strengthen our communities.

The Project: Building Repair and Property Improvements

Much work is needed to improve the Hall as a useful asset for the community. Repair and painting the Hall exterior has already begun. A significant repair of the truss system was completed in 2025. Work is needed to replace trenches with a stormwater drainage system to keep water away from the building. A new foundation is the next priority. Upgrading the electrical system, bathrooms, and kitchen are next. Many other upgrades such as windows and floors are included in the phased Building Plan. Landscape beautification, picnic tables, and a mini-park will complete the overall project and increase public enjoyment of this underused space. Fundraising events, business sponsorships, pro bono professional services, volunteer work parties, and grants for rural and historic facilities, will cover the costs to repair and restore this historic community center.

The History

When the Bayside Temperance Hall was originally built In the early 19th Century, there were few alternatives to saloons and pubs for socializing. Bayside, like many western towns and logging communities, was affected by high levels of alcoholism.

The temperance movement spread throughout the U.S. and Europe between 1800 and 1933. It helps to understand that the extreme concern about problems caused by alcoholism to families, workplace productivity, and the community had similarities to the impact of the current opioid crisis for many rural communities.

The Templars built the Hall as an alternative to saloons for families and neighbors to gather and socialize in the newly developing community in the Jacoby Creek Valley.

The Future: You’re Invited to Join

If you are experienced in construction, upgrading historic structures, or improving building performance, we invite you to join the Building Committee (our “old crows”!) to review the Master Plan and contractors’ proposals and to advise the board.
Are you good at throwing big parties? Let’s bring friends and neighbors together and show them a good time in upcoming fundraising events. Grassroots organizers and event planners needed!
Are you good at financial or project management, social media & website posting, photography, research, or writing?
This property has been neglected. Landscape design and maintenance are needed to beautify this centerpiece of Bayside’s historic district with trees and picnic tables.
With the help of Cal Poly Humboldt interns, we are researching and preparing maps and markers for Bayside Walking and Bike Tours. Help us to complete and promote this project.
Work on the drainage and Hall interior will be in stages. The first priority is to raise the building to retrofit the foundation.

The Overall Goal: Raise $350,000

The overall goal is $350,000. Donations are appreciated. Our IRS nonprofit/tax exempt status number is 74-3116092.

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