In 1936, members of many Lower Blue River Valley ranching families converged on the northeast corner of the unincorporated town of Slate Creek to construct a community hall. The men, employed by the Work Project of America, used wood from nearby forests to build the 30 ft. x 60 ft. wood-frame structure, including its exterior clapboard. The only exception was the floor, which is made of imported tongue-in-groove jointed oak.
The hall, sometimes called the Slate Creek Community Hall, is one large room. Its 12-ft. ceiling accommodates an elevated, curtained stage at one end. Five windows along each 60-ft. wall provide excellent lighting, which enables visitors to see the diamond-shaped gussets that decorate the varnished plywood walls. Wooden folding chairs and benches were the only furniture in the hall. Every other weekend, the chairs were pushed against the walls so people from all over the county could dance to the strains of local bands and square-dance callers. The dances were followed by midnight suppers.
The area's two schools used the hall for programs, especially during the holidays. Organizations such as the Home Demonstration Club, the Valley Stock Growers and the Blue Valley Telephone Company met in the hall. An outline of a basketball backboard on the wall opposite the stage indicates that more than just dancers pounded the planks.
Directions: The Slate Creek Hall is located approximately twelve miles north of the I-70/Silverthorne exit off State Highway 9. Beginning at the Silverthorne/I-70 exit, proceed north on State Highway 9 for approximately twelve miles to Slate Creek Road. Slate Creek Road is just before Ute Pass Road. Turn left onto Slate Creek Road and proceed approximately 0.4 mile to the Hall crossing over the Slate Creek Bridge.