[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 28 (Wednesday, February 13, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E165-E166]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CELEBRATING THE RAMONA TOWN HALL 125TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DUNCAN HUNTER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 13, 2019

  Mr. HUNTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a celebrated 
moment for one of San Diego County's true historical landmarks located 
in my district. It is very rare to have a piece of living history in 
our community, but we are blessed with such a place on Main Street in 
Ramona, California, with the Ramona Town Hall. It is both a snapshot of 
the pioneering spirit of the Old West, as well as evidence of a 
thriving community spirit. The Ramona Town Hall is celebrating its 
125th Anniversary this year and I would like to take a moment to 
highlight this important achievement.
   In 1894, property lots were donated to the community on which to 
build a structure that would serve the people of the Santa Maria 
Valley. Designed by architect William S. Hebbard, the Ramona Town Hall, 
also known as Town Hall of Nuevo and Barnett Hall, would become one of 
the largest, and oldest, adobe structures in Southern California and 
serve as Ramona's first high school, bank, library, movie theater, 
justice court and community dance hall.
   Ramona Town Hall was also home to many of the town's religious 
groups while their churches were being built, as well as the birthplace 
of many other local organizations, including the Ramona Grange, the 
Santa Maria Masonic Lodge, the Ramona Pioneer Historical Society, the 
Ramona Chamber of Commerce, the Ramona Art Guild, the Town Hall Players 
and the Ramona Council of Arts, Unlimited. Events that took place at 
Ramona Town Hall included temperance meetings, Turkey Days, voting 
polls, 4-H Youth benefits, political meetings, as well as community 
theater and silent film festivals. The Ramona Town Hall was listed on 
the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.
   Despite this proud history, the fate of Ramona Town Hall at times 
became seriously in question. Since its inception, Ramona Town Hall has 
operated solely on fundraisers, grant monies, private donations and 
rent collected for a variety of events. While always seemingly in 
demand, there was a very real possibility at one point of the Ramona 
Town Hall closing its doors. Thankfully, the people of Ramona have 
never allowed this to happen and, due to the faithful service and 
dedication of private citizens on the Ramona Town Hall Board of 
Trustees, they help maintain and manage the Town Hall to ensure that it 
remains viable, available to the community, and a continued source of 
local pride. I have had the honor and pleasure myself of speaking with 
my constituents on several occasions at the Ramona Town Hall.
   I want to congratulate the people of Ramona, particularly the 
private citizens who volunteer their time and resources toward ensuring 
the Ramona Town Hall continues to serve its intended purpose. Their 
commitment toward this cause is a reflection of the Ramona community as 
a whole and provides confidence to us all that the Ramona Town Hall 
will continue to be a local asset and treasure for years to come.

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