The building currently known as Swede Hall is actually the second building identified by that name and is located several miles from the original structure. There have been three organizations associated with the two buildings known by the name of Swede Hall.
The original building was constructed by the Rochester lodge of the Swedish-Finnish Temperance Association. They received their charter on the 12th of March in 1911. Volunteers built a meeting hall out in Independence valley on Independence Road. Alfred Ericson and Margaret Forsman were married in this hall in 1912.
There was also at this time a local benefit organization with the mission of helping in cases of accidents, illnesses, and death. Neither of these groups prospered and after lengthy discussions it was decided to combine the two into a local lodge of the national Runeberg Society, which had been organized in Waukegan, Illinois in 1920. The Rochester Lodge’s Charter, granted on August 7, 1926 stated its purpose was to: “To unite persons mainly of Finland-Swede origin, to promote educational and temperance work, to collect funds for sickness and funeral benefits for members, and in general to promote helpfulness and brotherhood among their countrymen.” A person could join as a “social member” or as a “benefits member”, the latter paying a small monthly fee for health, life insurance, and funeral benefits. Some-time between 1926 and 1935 the Temperance Association sold its building to the local Runeberg Society, which renamed it Swede Hall. The new organization grew rapidly as many more young people joined and arranged well attended meetings and dances.
In 1935 the Rochester Order of Runeberg bought two acres on Albany Street from the Eko family, where the present Swede Hall is located. Eric Wester, one of the members, designed the new building which was to be built. He patterned it after many of the Order of Runeberg Lodge Halls in Europe. The group bought two old Bordeaux Lumber Company warehouses in Malone, WA, tore them down and hauled the lumber to the Albany Street property. They also tore down the old Swede Hall on Independence Road and hauled the lumber from it to the Albany Street site. Eric Wester also acted in the capacity of head carpenter during the construction of the new building. The new building was/is 50 feet by 120 feet. The dance hall floor measures 60 by 40 feet, with a good-sized stage for musicians and stage productions, located at the center of the hall at one end of the dance floor. The joists for the dance floor were 5 X 24 inches and 30 feet long. Total cost for the land and building was $5,000 and it was finished in late 1939
The dedication ceremony for the new building was held on December 1, 1939. Total cost for the land and building was 5,000.00 and in four years it was all paid off.
The Rochester Order of Runeberg organization had 140 members in 1935, and 177 in 1950. With the loss of members by 1978, the group decided to sell the hall to the newly formed Grand Mound Rochester Citizens Group (GMRCG). The sale price was $25,000.00 at 8% interest with a 15 year payoff. It was later decided that bonds be sold, consisting of 500 $50.00 and 200 $25.00 bonds totaling $30,000.00. The GMRCG submitted their Articles of Incorporation and application to the IRS for 501c3 status in May of 1978.
The Grand Mound Rochester Citizens Group (currently Rochester Citizens Group {RCG}) continues to maintain the property. An important part of the Group’s mission is preserving the Historic Swede Hall as an inexpensive rental venue for the Rochester community. The group also is involved in hosting dances with live local music afternoons on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays of each month. An annual Swede Day Midsommar Festival is produced featuring a parade thru town, with a Swedish Meatball Lunch and vendors booths at the hall after the parade.
75 Years ago from the Rochester Sun news – Swede Hall Dedication
December 1, 1939 – The $5,000 hall erected by the Order of Runeberg will be dedicated Saturday evening. A dance is being held to commemorate the event. Eric Wester was head carpenter and also acted in the capacity of architect of the large building, which has overall dimensions of 50 by 120 feet. Could join as a social member or as a benefits member, the latter paying a small monthly fee for health and life insurance, and funeral benefits The Temperance Association sold its building to the Runeberg Society, which renamed it Swede Hall. The new organization grew rapidly as many more young people joined and arranged well attended meetings and dances.