The second-floor auditorium at City Hall has been used for wrestling practice by Clay Center Wrestling Club since 1994. Prior to that, the group used the building’s third floor and former band room as their practice space.
City Band used the space for years where they practiced and stored their instruments, said Bill Callaway, retired Public Utilities Commission Superintendent. He also said the auditorium itself was extremely active when he came to work in Clay Center, beginning in the mid-1960s.
From plays, to dances for local youth, the space was used for all kinds of entertainment. The wooden chairs, he said, were removable and the band would play live on the stage, while the open floor was used for dancing.
A balcony exists on the third floor for upper-level seating. While dressing rooms are on either side of the stage. Old wooden mirror frames and shelving are still in place today.
Modern pictures (right) show a mix of sports-related items, like scales and plaques, next to original features of a radiator and original mirror.
“It used to be a very active place, in its day it was a very well-used auditorium for the city,” he said.
By the late 70s, use of the stage had dwindled, and by the late 70s, CCWC took over the band room as practice space. In 1994, they moved to the stage/auditorium area where they remain today.
In its heyday, the basement of City Hall also served as a popular local spot with a full kitchen and space for dining. The original 10-burner gas stove and multiple refrigerators remain, as does an entire cabinet full of real China.
Callaway said groups of all kinds planned dinners. There was an annual Thanksgiving meal, a men’s club that hosted dinners, and it was the meeting space for Lion’s and Rotary Clubs.
“When I first came here that was a place for the public to go to for any kind of event. They had all kinds of dinners.”
Before City Hall opened in 1937, two local restaurant owners petitioned City Council, asking them to vote down the dining hall component, fearing competition.
City Hall also served as public restrooms for shoppers and a voting location in its early years.
In planning stages, the public stage was added as the often-used “City Auditorium” was most likely the outdoor Chautauqua location in Huntress Park.
An expansive Armistice Show was put on by the American Legion in 1936 at the aforementioned City Auditorium. It included wrestling, boxing, vaudeville, acrobatics, events, live music, dancing, and musical comedy.
An ad in the Times read, “Not a Stag Party. Ladies are especially invited.” Tickets cost $1 for any seat, that included 16 acts and 25 artists. (The same ticket would be over $22 today.)
The show included eight rounds of wrestling, including the main event where “Rowdy” Rudy LaDitzi from New York took on Andy Moen of Minnesota in a “Texas Rules” round at 225 pounds.
Original City Hall picture via Daton Hess. Research via Susan Hammond.
Images: 1) Wrestling room and balcony that still includes original seating. 2) Original building elements of a radiator and mirror next to wrestling trophies and scales. 3) Side steps that lead to the auditorium’s stage. 4) Original dressing room features of mirrors and lights. 5) Entrance to third-floor band room where City Band formerly practiced and stored their instruments. 6) Inside of band room that served as a wrestling practice location from the late 70s to early 90s.
