The community of Kerrmoor is located in Ferguson Township in Clearfield County, Pa. The land was first surveyed in 1882.
The village’s growth was based on lumber, coal and the railroad industry. Many of the employees of these industries also operated small family farms. The working farming families soon established the Kerrmoor Grange No. 1146.
Community Granges were a pattern of development for the time of the late 19th and the early 20th century. Granges were established in 1867 nationally.
The grange is a family and community organization with its roots in agriculture. Since its inception, women have been considered equal members.
Every year, grange members give thousands of hours to volunteer in their communities and raise millions of dollars for important causes.
Grangers attend public meetings, inform themselves of local, state and national issues, and speak for the rights of all Americans, especially those who work in agriculture, producing our food, fuel and fiber.
The Kerrmoor Grange was chartered in 1896. The founding officers were – Master, John P. Watts; secretary, Emeline Straw; and treasurer, W.P. Johnson.
Meetings were held the second and the fourth Saturday of the month when the grange was organized. In 1926, the Kerrmoor Juvenile Grange was organized.
In 1928, the Kerrmoor Grange needed a more suitable place to hold meetings. It was voted to hold the meetings at Eagles Hall at New Millport. The fee was $1 per meeting with lights and heating furnished.
Recently, several Kerrmoor Grange No. 1146 meeting minute ledgers were donated to the Clearfield County Historical Society.
It was noted in the minutes that after official business was performed, there was a program or activity along with light refreshments.
The Kerrmoor Grange would have games, sing songs, read poems, act out skits and perform other old fashioned fun activities.
Not only would the Kerrmoor Grangers work on displays for the Clearfield County Fair to educate the public on agriculture, they also were very community involved when help was needed.
There would be meals held for the family members of the recently deceased, monies were raised for the needy and contributions made to local charities just to name a few.
The Women of the Grange would make quilts that were chanced off for fundraising. There were grange meals, cake walks, dances and events to engage the community.
The Kerrmoor Grange Hall was the sight for handing out food surplus that would serve 150 to 200 families. Before a new furnace was installed in 1963, there would need to be a fire made to keep the folks warm.
Twice during severely cold weather the fire was burning so hard to keep people warm that it was written the Grange Hall nearly caught ablaze.
In the meeting minutes of 1963, the Kerrmoor Grange reported on the Annual Community Picnic that was held Aug. 17, 1963. The picnic was a “walloping” success. Dinner was served to nearly 400 guests.
A violent thunderstorm rolled throughout the area but that did not dampen the people’s spirits. It was reported that over $700 was raised that day at the little picnic ground.
The report ended with the line “This is a small community, but we are united in all events.”
Due to the lack of interest, Kerrmoor Grange No. 1146 disbanded in June of 2004.