For The Cortez Journal

There were two main centers for entertainment in the Cortez area at the turn of the 20th century. They were the Congregational Church (pictured at right), built in the late 1880s by a minister named Harper. The church was on the corner of Montezuma and Market where the Catholic Church now stands. The other was the Woodman Hall (behind the courthouse on S. Chestnut), with lectures, school plays, dances and a Masquerade Ball at Halloween.

Congregational Church purchased lots for the church building in June 1889. The church was erected in 1889 on the corner of N. Market Street and Montezuma Avenue and was a landmark for 30 years. The church burned Jan. 20, 1919, as a result of arson. The Catholic Church now occupies the old Congregational Church site.

In the upcoming Looking Back column on March 6, Gladys Guillet Hart tells about the changes and advances made in Cortez from 1900 to 1910.

If you’d like to read past Looking Back column visit cortezjournal.com/section/Columnists and click on the Living tab.