This week the White Rock Hall which was built approximately 100 years ago, will mark its centenary with demolition for the sake of progress.

On June 30th, community members decided with some regret, to sell the structure, the site of innumerable card parities and other social events, to the provincial transportation department. The removal of the hall, which will be carried out by members of the community association, will allow for the extension of the Ridge Bridge.

The hall has stood perched on the hillside between the Gaspereau Road and the Ridge since shortly after the construction of the local Baptist church in 1881, according to White Rock's historian, the late Charles O"Leary. Local branch members of the Sons of Temperance organization, known as the division, had a role in the hall's erection.

In 1917, the deed to the hall was turned over to three trustees for one dollar. At 94 Walter Young is the only one of the trio sill living, but both Everett Forsythe and Howard O'Leary have descendants living today in White Rock.

The hall continues to be used for temperance meetings, pie socials with Joe Smith as auctioneer and school concerts. Opal Parker can recall playing the piano in the hall on many events. her late husband Nat assisted some of the dramatic productions by creating footlights from tin cans and light bulbs.

may adults living in White Rock will remember being lead out of the hall when natures called. There were never any washrooms installed in the structure but it was always been a gathering place for social and recreational events.

After the Second World War, coming home parities were held in the hall. The women of the community held regular quilting parties and wedding showers for young married people of the village.

After the formation of the White Rock Hall Community Association in 1977, the size and lack of conveniences in the public hall became more apparent. Eventually the decision was made to purchase a piece of land down on the Gaspereau Road for erection of a new facility.