Memorial Hall

Memorial Hall was constructed to serve the community of Salina as an auditorium and as a monument to honor all veterans. The building was constructed by the city of Salina, Kansas, after the close of World War I. The auditorium's stage was designed to accommodate any show that would want to perform in a city the size of Salina. Construction began in June 1922 and was finished in 1923.

Many events have occurred at Memorial Hall since its opening in 1923. In 1967, the structure and its maintenance became financial liability as the city collected $1943 in rentals for the building, including the $360 from the Veterans Administration Office, but spent $11,871.22 to operate and maintain the structure. The city considered tearing down Memorial Hall in that year but local opposition soon saved the landmark structure. Ten years later, Memorial Hall served a dual purpose as a community center.

Charles W. Shaver, an architect from Salina, designed the memorial and on the evening of June 3, 1922, the bids for the erection of Memorial Hall were considered by the city commissioners before selecting Peterson Construction Company of Salina. The building consists of three areas: the balcony, the arena, and the gallery. The arena was also used for a basketball court. It has the least seating capacity and is located on the first floor of the building. It holds a grand total of 324 people, but that is just how many chairs can be placed on the arena floor. The balcony has the biggest occupancy area in the whole building, being able to hold a total of 1914 people. This area is upstairs, which allowed guests to have a better view of an event that was going on at the time. Along with the balcony there are dressing rooms for the people who would perform at Memorial Hall to use. The gallery has the second biggest occupancy area and is in the mid-section of the building. It holds a total 924 people. On this floor there is also a men's chorus room, a section for the American legion, an American Legion Assembly room, smoking room, a women's club room, and a room for the Spanish American War Veterans. The totally occupancy for the whole building, counting the chairs added to the arena floor, is a total of 2,983 people. [3]

There were many events that took place at Memorial Hall over the years. A lot of those being musical events that involved many groups. A lot of these groups were invited from all over the nation to come perform in Salina. Perhaps the two biggest groups that came to Memorial Hall to perform were the Beach Boys and the U.S. Military Band. A hot and full house gathered early to greet the Military Band. When they played, Memorial Hall reached full occupancy for the first time in 50 some odd years. The U.S. Military Band had a reputation as the finest concert band in the land.[4] The Beach Boys, who performed at Memorial Hall in 1988, were a popular rock band at the time. The Hall completely sold out. Apart from the people who bought tickets, promoters and the group's agents also gave away tickets. People of all ages attended this event, so it was not like a typical rock concert it was more of community event. [5]

There was once a tank located in front of Memorial Hall, YES, a real tank. The tank came to Salina in 1939 from Rock Island, III. Arsenal, through efforts of the local V.F.W. (Veterans of Foreign Wars), It was given to the city by the organization. The tank was known as the “whippet” because it was known for its speed and maneuverability. Sadly, the tank only guarded the doors of Memorial Hall for three years before being removed in 1942. The reason behind removing the tank was suggested by Washington, D.C., during World War II, saying that war relics “would make a substantial addition to the national scrap metal drive. Instead of charging at its enemy like it once did, it will be stopping its counterparts now in forms of bullets shells and bombs."[6] Then in 1992 Memorial Hall inherited a new piece of wartime equipment. The National Guard officially gave another tank to the city during a dedication ceremony.[7]

Today Memorial Hall is home to Access Television on the west side of Memorial Hall, and its studio is upstairs. This television station runs a public education and government channel. They broadcast important city, county and special meetings that happen in Salina. Its main goal is to inform the Salina community about what is going on within the city.

Bibliography 

“Big Crowd arrives early for big concert”, The Salina Journal, May 6,1976, Memorial Hall Manuscript 

File, Campbell Room, Salina Public Library. 

 Daniels, Marisa “Salina waits patiently for Beach Boys”, The Salina Journal, July 20,1988  

https://ezproxy1.salpublib.org:2332/us/kansas/salina/salina-journal/1988/07-20/page-3/memorial-hall?pc=25621&psi=41&pci=7&plo=beach-boys&psb=relevance 

“Old Memorial Hall A Financial Liability”, The Salina Journal, Feb. 1,1968 Memorial Hall Manuscript 

File, Campbell Room, Salina Public Library. 

Park, Karen “M-60 tank takes up new residence” Salina Journal, December 4,1992  

 https://ezproxy1.salpublib.org:2332/us/kansas/salina/salina-journal/1992/12-04 tag=memorial+hall+tank&rtserp=tags/memorial-hall?pc=25621&psi=41&pci=7&plo=tank&psb=relevance 

“Returns to War”, August 28,1942, Memorial Hall Manuscript  

File, Campbell Room, Salina Public Library. 

 “Salina’s New Memorial Hall Complete and Is Ready for Dedication”, Salina Daily Union, Memorial 

Hall Manuscript File, Campbell Room, Salina Public Library.