March 30, 1918 -- An amazing feat took place in the city on this day, as the Liberty Hall, was completed from the ground up, in just 8 hours. A crew of some three hundred skilled craftsman, including carpenters, electricians and roofers, started work on this massive undertaking just after 7 a.m., their only break was for lunch at noontime.

The structure was located on the property directly in front of the Central School building at the corner of Hohman and Fayette. The size of the hall was 106 feet on Hohman and 143 feet on Fayette respectively.

The work proceeded at break neck speed, in just fifteen minutes after the workmen started, the framing on all sides had been raised. By 9 a.m. the floor was completed and by noon the roof and sides were almost complete. This was the equivalent of 2 weeks worth of labor, finished in just 5 hours.

Crowds of curious onlookers watched and rallied for the workmen. The supporters grew in numbers as the day progressed. Drawn to the area in part by the sounds of the saws and hammers, which could be heard for blocks. All of the efforts of the workers were also captured by the film and print media of the era.

The Liberty Hall building in Hammond was the country's first community assembly hall, for the nation's war effort. It was to be used by the citizens of Hammond, Indiana and neighboring West Hammond, Illinois Calumet City, Illinois. Liberty Hall was the brainchild of Peter Meyns, chairman of the building commitee and a member of the Lake County council of defense.

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Above photos from the archives of the Hammond Historical Society -- Calumet Room of the Hammond Public Library.
Source information from the microfilms of The Times newspapers at the Hammond Public Library.
Twentieth Century Time Capsule © 1999 HammondIndiana.com

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