Civic Building

These three lots were transferred from the public domain to the Wheeter Lumber Company, on August 31, 1907. In 1921, Gem State Lumber Company was here. The City of Rupert purchased the lots in 1937 from the Rupert Sales Corporation for $500 and back taxes. Then with a $29,455 matching grant and labor from the Works Progress Administration, most of the present Rupert City Hall/Civic Building was constructed. The Civic Building is a barrel-vault auditorium/gymnasium supported by eight internal arches with concrete buttresses on the outside of the building. The unique “woven” internal arches, as used in dairy barns, were constructed by overlapping straight, wooden beams. The superior wood floor and band-shell stage are noteworthy of the period. The Civic Building was one of the largest gymnasiums in the area, serving for many years as the home gym for Rupert High School. During big games, especially when Rupert met arch rival, Burley, spectators packed the entrance hall, stage and floor, even standing across the end lines. Area high schools from Acequia, Paul, Heyburn, Albion, Malta and Declo played special tournaments here. City league/outlaw, church ball games and youth boxing smokers were also held here. The building also hosted many high school and, community dances with live bands, and other events that packed the floor. Since its inception in 1937, the Civic Building continues to provide an excellent facility for sports programs, civic and social events.