Our Story

In 1896-1897, a short-lived co-operative gave Ruskin its name and its status as a distinct community, the residents of the area congregated frequently for social gatherings. At first they may have assembled in the schoolhouse or the Heaps Hotel, but when in 1916 the old schoolhouse was replaced by a two-room building, the residents pulled the old structure across the street and modified it for their purpose. Sadly, the original Ruskin Hall burned down in 1922 and the present hall took its place in 1924, constructed through volunteer subscriptions and donations.

The property on which the Ruskin Hall stands was owned by William Gilchrist Laing, a carpenter, who, in 1927 decided to donate the land to the people of Ruskin. In order to accept Laing’s gift, the Ruskin Community Hall Association was incorporated and took ownership of the land and hall on December 4, 1930.