Welcome to Arvon Township, Michigan.
The Skanee Town Hall is situated on Park Road in the rural community of Skanee, Michigan, and sits midway between the Skanee Fire Hall and post office. The hall was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.
The hall is a stately, two-story building which was constructed in 1915. The plan specifications were developed by Charles W. Maass, an architect from Hancock, and built by Fred Carlson, also from Hancock. The Skanee Town Hall was built to accommodate the various needs of the early settlers and homesteaders of Arvon Township. In a small, rural, developing community the local government played a major role. The hall provided a public community center to conduct the required meetings and other governmental responsibilities. Through the years the hall as been used for a variety of recreational venues such as square dancing, volleyball, public forums, concerts, pageants, movie theatre, school programs, wedding receptions, graduation parties and many other activities. The Skanee Town Hall continues to play a vital role in sustaining a sense of community for Arvon Township residents.
Visiting the Skanee Town Hall is a must for anyone that enjoys and appreciates history of Michigan’s early settlements. As you enter the main doors of the hall you will see pictures with descriptions mounted on the walls. These pictures give you a true visual account of what it was like settling the frontier. Many pictures show the original homesteaders with their families at their new home. Also included are photographs of the local businesses that developed such as logging and fishing. This room of the town hall will help many reminisce and appreciate the challenges of the early settlers and homesteaders experienced in their new environment.
The Aura Town Hall was built in 1926 as a social gathering place for recreation and dances. In 1932 the Aura Coop Hall was built along Townline Road. For many years the hall held large crowds for dancing, dramatics, and parties. Performers from Wisconsin and Minnesota would come to give dramatic productions. Once TV came along people became more inclined to stay home rather than gathering at the hall for such performances.
Presently, the Aura Town Hall still serves as a center for community activities and special functions. During the summer months there have been children’s art displays, talent shows, graduation parties, wedding receptions, and other recreational activities. The main event which has brought talented musicians to the Aura Town Hall for many years is the Fiddler’s Jamboree. If you are in the Aura area during the month of July, you must come to the hall for the day to enjoy the variety of music and instruments being played. In the evening you can show off your fancy footwork by dancing to music of the past and present.