About Grange Hall (Murphysboro, Illinois)
Historic Architecture, Architecture, Interesting Places, Other Buildings And Structures
The Grange Hall in Somerset Township, Jackson County, Illinois, is the historic meeting place of Somerset Township's chapter of The Grange. Built in 1912, the building was Somerset Grange #1553's second meeting hall; the first building was built in 1876 and burned down in 1909. The red brick building was built by contractor W. A. Pitman in the Commercial style. The Grange Hall served as a meeting place for local farmers to discuss agricultural affairs and propose farm policy to legislators. The National Farmers Union's newspaper, the Union Farmer, was published from the Somerset Grange Hall until 1914. The building also served as a local social center and hosted township elections, club meetings, and community events. The hall was rehabilitated in 1988; it still serves as a township polling place.
