W. C. T. U. Building
Canadian, Hemphill County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Only structure in the nation built, owned and still operated by a local chapter of Women's Christian Temperance Union. Built 1911, with financing and upkeep from annual bazaars held since 1906. Also, used by public library and civic groups. Determined to abolish liquor by local option election, the chapter organized in 1902. Won first election a year later. Meetings have been held every Wednesday since founding. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1965
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Founded in 1902, the Canadian chapter of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union raised money through annual bazaars and built this hall in 1911—reportedly the only such structure in the nation built, owned, and still operated by a local WCTU chapter. The women won a local-option election against liquor in 1903 and kept meeting every Wednesday from their founding onward. The building also served the public library and civic groups.
Why it matters
It stands as a rare surviving monument to the women's temperance movement, a grassroots crusade that gave many American women their first taste of organized political power decades before they could vote.
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