Town Square, Jackson, 1920's, looking southeast. The hip roofed building is the "Clubhouse" constructed about 1897. Downstairs was commercial space including the Jackson Drug Co., discussed on a subsequent page. Upstairs was a hall which could be used as a gymnasium and for community events such as dances and community meetings. Indeed, former governor and United States senator Cliff Hansen learned to wrestle in the Clubhouse. In 1920, the dance floor was rennovated. In the 1920's, music for the dances was provided by the Fuller Orchestra. With the valley's isolation and possibly to relieve "cabin fever," planning for dances began in the late autumn. The bachelors of the town sponsored two dances. The married men sponsored another, with the result that during the winter there was a dance every weekend. One Bachelor's Dance lasted until midnight followed by a banquet at the Crabtree Hotel which lasted until 4:00 a.m. The post office was on the same side of the street. It has been said that during dances, some of the men would stash their liquor in their post office boxes so as to have it readily available. Crabtree Hotel, approx. 1940.. The Crabtree Hotel was initially known as the Reed Hotel and was operated by "Ma" Reed from 1908 until October 5, 1917, when Ma apparently unexpectedly departed leaving unpaid debts. Operation of the hotel was then taken over by Rose and Henry Crabtree. Prior to the construction of a permanent school building, the Club House was also used for the school. Other funtions were conducted in other halls. A weekly picture show was held on Friday nights at the Odd Fellows Hall which at that time was located in what is now the Town Square. The Odd Fellows Hall also hosted regular wrestling matches. During the summer, small travelling troups put on plays at the Woodmen of the World Hall. In the winter, local groups would put on the plays. Town Square, Jackson, looking east towards Center Street. Photo by Charles Wesley Andrews. At the time of the above scene, Jackson had a population of approximately 500. Businesses consisted of the Jackson Drug Co., Jackson Mercantile, a tailor, a bank, Jones Grocery, Mercill's Grocery, two billiard halls, a laundry, two barber shops, a blacksmith, Wort's livery barn, two hotels, a taxidermy, a meat market, a garage, and a leather shop. Liquor was available for "medicinal purposes" at the drug store. The long one-story building in the center of the photo is the Jackson Mercantile Co. founded by Frank and Roy Van Vleck. As of August 2003 the town has a population of approximately 6,600. The hardware store at the left in the upper photo is at the right in the lower photo. Town Square, Jackson, 2003, looking southeast, photo by Geoff Dobson Jackson, 1941, photo by Marion Post Walcott For discussion of Marion Post Walcott, see Sheridan II. Note that Mercill's store sells everything from boots to vegetables. William Mercill (1888-1969) was one of the men defeated for election in 1920 when the all woman city government was elected. Mercill's Store, approx. 1941. Jackson Town Council, 1921. L to R: Mae Deloney, Rose Crabtree, Mayor Grace Miller, Faustina Haight, and Genevieve Van Vleck. Other women in the town goverment were Pearl Williams, town marshal; Edna Huff, health officer; Marta Winger, town clerk; and Viola Lumbeck, treasurer. But Bill Mercill was not the only man to suffer from the ignominy of defeat. The sitting mayor Henry Crabtee in his run for town councilman was defeated by his own wife, Rose, 50 votes to 31. Mercill Avenue in Jackson was originally North Street. The name change was officially confirmed by Resolution of the Town Council in 1998. Next Page: Jackson continued.