Hopedale in the 1920s oversaw a civic building campaign led by George A. Draper (1855-1923), then treasurer of the Draper Corporation. Draper often talked about the need for a community center in Hopedale for his workers, and in 1919 decided to build one at his own expense. He commissioned architect Edwin J. Lewis, Jr. of Boston to design the Hopedale Community House which was intended to serve as a social and civic center for all Hopedale residents, as well as Draper Corporation employees residing in other towns. The building was opened in 1923, but sadly George Draper died before he could see it used. The Community House included an assembly hall, a banquet hall that doubled as a gymnasium, a kitchen, rooms for smoking and cards and billiards, a ladies’ social room, the Knights of Pythias club room, and candlepin bowling lanes in the basement, all of which exist to this day.
We were just kids (still feel young at heart), and we were excited because we had use of Community House (and bowling lanes) with a raffle- to get our soapbox cars into a KBBL derby, grand prize was to go to 1982 Worlds Fair in Knoxville and stop over in Brandon, MO. The entire town (small as it is) banded together and showed support. Billy Draper’s store had a rare Garbage Pail Kids pack, that brought in the most bids. I see this photo and read the rich history of the property, and only have fondness for, and such great pride in, my hometown.
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We were just kids (still feel young at heart), and we were excited because we had use of Community House (and bowling lanes) with a raffle- to get our soapbox cars into a KBBL derby, grand prize was to go to 1982 Worlds Fair in Knoxville and stop over in Brandon, MO. The entire town (small as it is) banded together and showed support. Billy Draper’s store had a rare Garbage Pail Kids pack, that brought in the most bids. I see this photo and read the rich history of the property, and only have fondness for, and such great pride in, my hometown.
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Bort I haven’t thought about Billy Drapers for decades! I remember stopping there before heading to a bird sanctuary with my family. I went looking for bird seed bells and candy. It is amazing what your brain decides to remember.
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