History of the Little Hall

     In the year of 1920 a group of farmers settled in the community southwest of Silverhill. They all wanted the same thing, to make a living for their families. They decided to have a public school house built for their children, and a meeting house to gather in. One of the farmers, Anton Kulicka, a single man, decided to sell the farmers one acre of land for one dollar.

Little Bohemian Hall hosting a wedding in 1921.

     They organized and called themselves the Czech Farmers Club. They decided to start building in 1920. All the lumber was sawed at the Heidelberg sawmill. All the farmers put in their share of work and then some.

     Their first school started in late 1920, with a teacher from the state. She had eight grades. The children sat on handmade benches.

     In the year of 1928 the school bus came from Silverhill and took the children to Silverhill School.

     After that, the building was used for dances, social activities, and meetings. The Church of Christ met there for a while. The Czech School taught the Czech language there for several years to whoever was interested in learning the language, The Athletic (Sokol) Club taught and performed there until the forties.

     After that the club house was inactive for about 3 years.

     In 1949 the young people of the community decided to form a club and have parties and activities for the people of the community again.

     In 1956 the Silverhill Farmers Club was organized, with John Wilson as president. There were few members, and no money. We met here and there, but never had a place of our own. The Little Bohemian Hall was empty at this time, and was still owned by the Czechoslovakian Farmers Association. The building was run-down. Vandals had gotten in and ruined the piano, and broken dishes and windows. The two clubs got together, and it was decided that the Czech Farmers Association would sell the building to the Silverhill Farmers Club for one dollar.

     At this time, the Silverhill Farmers Club merged with the Extension Homemakers Club. Now we had a large membership and worked together, we had a meeting house and we had lots of work to do. We met once a month at the Little Hall. Our membership started growing, but we still had no money. We decided to enter the Baldwin County Fair and entered in the Farm Booth category, winning second prize, which was $50.00. Next year we entered again and won second; but when we entered the same booth in the Greater Gulf State Fair, we won first place, and also in Atmore. This kept up for several years, entering the three fairs, winning every time. The ball started rolling when we decided to have square dances. We started out small, but it didn't take long till we were having good crowds. It wasn't just for young people, soon the parents started coming. It was good clean fun for all.

     We started making money and spending it on our club house. We put in a complete kitchen, two restrooms, new floor, heating system, and new pump. Also, we painted it and put a new ceiling in. We were proud. We worked together. A county agent from Bay Minette came to the meetings once a month. We were one of the largest and most active clubs in Baldwin County. After fixing up the club house, we started using the money we made for other good causes. Most of the money made was used to send 4-H winners to Auburn, or for donations to families with sickness, or donations to fire departments, schools, or ball clubs.

     These activities continued until 1972, when the club let the Karate Club start using the Hall. This continued until August of 1978, when we decided that Silverhill School had a real need for more space, so we decided to sell the Little Hall to Silverhill School for one dollar. Arrangements were made to move the building to the Silverhill School campus, and today it is being used every day for various activities.

     The Little Bohemian Hall is a legend in the community. It was built by the people for the people and their children, for a school and a meeting place. Now it is again serving that purpose. It has many memories, memories that will live forever!