Fabius Community House
Fabius Community House
The 2020-2021 Heritage Seekers ornament commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Fabius Community House.
In the fall of 1921, the idea of a community house in the Fabius Township took flight. In just a few months and with the help of a large group of devoted volunteers, the community house was built and is still an important part of the community today.
The Beginnings
On October 8, 1921, a meeting was held at Harry Carson's Store in Smileyville, Fabius Township, Marion County, Missouri. A majority of those attending expressed themselves heartily in favor of establishing a Community House.
An organization was established and an investigation committee formed to ascertain the approximate cost of a building and site.
On October 22, 1921, the investigating committee reported on their findings, and with the advice of Farm Agent F. G. Kraege and the donation of a site by Harry Carson next to his store, the vote was unanimous in favor of building.
Palmyra Spectator
October 19, 2021
Smileyville
Fabius Township, Marion County
First Trustees
Trustees were elected from each of the four area school districts and one member at large.
Franklin School District--H. S. Gillespie
Todd School District--James F. Reber
Oakview School District--Will Hoehne
Prairie View School District--O. W. Ping
Trustee-at-large--Frank L. Keller
Mr. H. S. Gillespie, Mr. James Reber, Mr. W. C. Hoehne,
Mr. O.W. Ping, Mr. Frank Keller
First Menu Committee of Fabius Community House
Mrs. C. R. Taylor, Mrs. John Hansbrough, Mrs Ed. Disselhorst,
Mrs. L .C. McLeod, Mrs. W. C. Hoehne
Dinner Committee
A committee to make arrangements for the dinner to be served on the day of the community house sale was formed with a chairman from each of the school districts.
Todd School--Mrs. E. H. Disselhorst
Prairie View School--Mrs. Wilfred Bowles
Oakview School--Mrs. Will Hoehne
Franklin School--Mrs. John C. Hansbrough
The funds for the building and maintenance were raised by voluntary contributions of money, material, and labor.
A large community sale and dinner raised over $650, which along with donations of over $600 from solicitors and $300 from the Mendelsshon Club, allowed work to begin on the building earlier than anticipated.
A loan of $2,500 was obtained from the Marion County Savings Bank to help build the community house.
Fundraising
Palmyra Spectator
November 16, 1921
Palmyra Spectator
November 23, 1921
Groundbreaking
Palmyra Spectator
December 14, 1921
December 6, 1921
Work begins on the building
In just a few days, twenty-four teams of horses hauled gravel, cement, lumber, etc., and the cellar was dug.
Much of the work was contributed by men in the vicinity, and it was thought the building would be built in record-breaking time.
Work Progressing
Building Specifications
The building is a cottage design, 50 X 32 feet, with one story and a full basement. It faces north with concrete steps on each side leading up to the main entrance.
The upper floor contains a lobby, an auditorium, a stage, dressing rooms, and two office rooms.
The basement contains a kitchen, banquet room, and a fuel room.
Palmyra Spectator
December 14, 1921
Fundraising and Donations Continue
Donations of money, materials, and labor continued as the building work progressed. Some 40 to 50 farmers and their sons worked day after day to complete the building. Women contributed many hours cooking meals for workers and supplying dinners for various community events to raise money. The area schools staged plays and other entertainments. Neighboring communities also donated to the building effort.
Fundraising With Food
Palmyra Spectator
December 28, 1921
Palmyra Spectator
February 15, 1922
Palmyra Spectator
May 24, 1922
Lunches Served at Auctions
Palmyra Spectator
November 30, 1921
Palmyra Spectator
March 15, 1922
Chairs Purchased
350 chairs were bought at 75 cents each.
Palmyra Spectator
April 26, 1922
Range Donated
Palmyra Spectator
May 17, 1922
Almost Ready for Dedication Day
Preparing for Dedication
Palmyra Spectator
June 6, 1922
Dedication Day
June 14, 1922
Palmyra Spectator
June 21, 1922
Palmyra Spectator
June 21, 1922
Kansas City Times
June 23, 1922
Marion County Herald
January 1, 1923
Palmyra Spectator
October 1, 1947
Free From Debt
The annual Fabius Community sale in 1937 provided the funding to eliminate the debt on the Community House. Reports of the total cost of the building vary from $7,000 to $10,000 according to differing sources.
Marion County Standard
October 27, 1937
Improvements to the building have been made through the years.
Marion County Standard
October 27, 1937
Palmyra Spectator
October 27, 1937
Fabius Community House Activities
The constitution of the Fabius Community House stated that the building was to be used, free of charge, for social and educational purposes.
Fabius Community House audience
Palmyra Spectator
December 13, 1922
Palmyra Spectator
November 29, 1922
Palmyra Spectator
February 1, 1928
Marion County Herald
May 13, 1925
Plays, Concerts, Movies, Fairs
Palmyra Spectator
August 2, 1922
Palmyra Spectator
November 21, 1928
Palmyra Spectator
March 20, 1946
Volunteer Support Continued
Palmyra Spectator
October 24, 1924
Palmyra Spectator
January 5, 1927
Palmyra Spectator
January 5, 1927
Marion County Standard
November 18, 1936
Palmyra Spectator
August 18, 1937
Palmyra Spectator
November 11, 1953
Palmyra Spectator
October 30, 1929
Palmyra Spectator
October 13, 1937
Marion County Standard
October 13, 1937
Palmyra Spectator
June 27, 1951
Palmyra Spectator
October 30, 1929
Palmyra Spectator
November 13, 1929
Palmyra Spectator
June 3, 1948
Palmyra Spectator
July 30, 1952
Cooperation with Other Organizations
The Fabius Community House was used by many different groups and organizations for meetings and social gatherings. Churches, schools, local clubs, and other groups took advantage of the space that was unavailable in their own homes or buildings.
Mendelssohn-Emersonian Club
Palmyra Spectator
December 4, 1935
Church Activities
Palmyra Spectator
December 7, 1938
Palmyra Spectator
December 17, 1952
Palmyra Spectator
December 30, 1936
Marion County Extension
Palmyra Spectator
September 30, 1953
Farm Bureau
Marion County Herald
June 3, 1925
Community Health
Palmyra Spectator
April 4, 1951
Palmyra Spectator
November 2, 1938
Social Meetings
Palmyra Spectator
September 8, 1955
Palmyra Spectator
June 10, 1953
Fabius 4-H
Palmyra Spectator
March 8, 1939
School Activities
Palmyra Spectator
April 26, 1939
Marion County Standard
December 11, 1935
Marion County Standard
February 17, 1937
Fabius Community House Today
Upper Level
The upper level still features the original stage.
Lower Level
The lower level is handicapped accessible and features a full kitchen with 3 stoves and 3 refrigerators.
The Fabius Community House is available for rental for events.
Plans are underway for several events next year to mark the 100 year dedication of the Fabius Community House.
100 YEARS
June of 2022
The Spirit Lives On
Many local Smileyville residents have served on the Board of Directors, volunteered their time, and donated money to be sure the community house continues to thrive.
Current Board of Directors
Curtis Robbins, President
Mark Kroeger, Vice President
Tyler Stuhlman, Secretary
Bill Goellner, Treasurer
Steve Lehenbauer, Member
David Porter, Member
Fabius 4-H
The Fabius 4-H Club meets at the Community House monthly and Club families take turns mowing the lawn.
The Fabius 4-H Club assisted the Board in building an outside pavilion for picnic tables.
The spirit of volunteerism and community support continues 100 years after its inception.
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Fundraisers
There are two annual fundraisers to raise funds for upkeep, utilities, improvements, and insurance.
Fall Turkey Supper and Auction
Spring Hog Roast
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Eagle Scout Projects
Two Eagle Scout projects focused on improvements to the Community House grounds. One installed a 1/2 basketball court, and another installed a large firepit.
A fundraising campaign in going on now to raise money to purchase a new play set for the yard.