Baxter-Curren celebrating 60 years

Baxter-Curren Activity Center was created in 1957 as a place where seniors could join together to socialize.

It marks its 60th year on April 14.

The center plans to celebrate throughout the year, starting with a dinner on Feb. 17.

In 1957 the Soroptimists Club of Clovis sponsored the creation of a senior center along with two individuals — W.W. Stanfield and T.C. Johnson.

This group met at the Chamber of Commerce building two afternoons a week and played games.

In January 1960, the group was incorporated as the Senior Citizens Center of Clovis.

In January 1963, the Frank Burns’ home became available. This historic residence was built in 1907, and was located at 604 Merriwether St.

The senior center’s board of directors purchased the home for $2,100.

It was moved to 908 Hickory St., a site donated by the city of Clovis.

Monies earned by the senior citizens, with assistance from the Soroptimist Club and donations from local organizations and businesses were sufficient for the purchase and the move.

However, funds were depleted and the interior remained to be renovated. The Soroptimist Club paneled the walls and installed acoustical ceiling tiles.

Even though the interior was not complete, the Hospitality House was opened regularly on Monday evenings for business meetings and games.

On Tuesday afternoons, it was opened for quilters. Quilts were sold to help raise funds for the center's maintenance. This fundraising model continues today.

The building was available to be used on other occasions when someone was willing to be responsible for the opening and closing of the facility. Few wanted the responsibility so the problem was how to finance a full-time employee.

The Hospitality House remained on this schedule until a source of funding from the federal government was legislated, and could be obtained with state and local matching funds.

The Hospitality House remodel was finally completed, and the grand opening was held Oct. 25, 1964, with Mayor Ted Waldhauser cutting the ribbon.

In 1965, the Older Americans Act was signed into law providing three-year grants to communities to provide seed money for leadership, service and programming. At the end of a successful three-year period, communities recognizing the worth of these programs were expected to continue the necessary financial assistance.

The Curry County Council on Aging, Inc., became the grantee under this Act, and was funded in May 1966.

Alice Converse, who had worked with the seniors since the start of the Hospitality House, was named executive director of the grant.

The board of directors, recognizing the opportunity for the center to be open on a full-time basis, offered office space to the Curry County Council on Aging. Headquarters for the council were established at the Hospitality House in May, 1966.

The Hospitality House was then staffed full-time with a director and secretary, and provided administrative services, employment placement, basic education courses, and annual health screening in addition to weekly three-hour art classes, a pancake breakfast, and various recreational activities and fellowship for area seniors.

As the membership increased, the board recognized the need for a recreation hall and dining area to be added to the house. Upon his death, George P. Baxter, an ardent member of the center and a board member, bequeathed $5,000 as a nucleus for a building fund.

In appreciation for that endowment, and in his memory, the proposed building was to be named Baxter Hall.

Desiring to add monies to the fund, the ladies of the Stitch ’N’ Chatter Club increased their quilting activities, and sold enough quilts to add about $2,000 to the fund. Other members sponsored rummage sales, bake sales, bazaars, dinners and other activities to increase the fund by another $1,000. Additionally, J.H. Brown and Clayton Reed conducted a two-man campaign in the community and raised $3,000 more. The Soroptimist Club donated $1,000, and the membership further raised $2,000.

In May 1967, construction was completed and Baxter Hall became a reality. For the next 10 years the financial support for further capital improvements for the center was provided by the members through various fundraising activities.

In 1976, the center received a $90,000 donation for additional improvements from W.E. Curren, a Clovis pioneer.

Plans were immediately initiated for an additional extension to Baxter Hall.

On May 7, 1978, an open house and dedication of Curren Hall was held, and the complete facility was thereafter known as “Baxter-Curren Hall” in memory and sincere gratitude to the two gentlemen who made it possible.

The senior citizens of Clovis are proud of this beautiful, debt-free facility, which was constructed and refurbished at an overall cost of approximately $93,000.

The true value of these facilities cannot be measured in dollars and cents, but in the benefit that the programs and services provide for the older people in Clovis and surrounding areas.

Nancy Walker is treasurer on the board of directors for the Baxter-Curren Senior Center. Contact her at: [email protected]