The main entryway to the Bethel Town Office. Bethel Citizen photo by Samuel Wheeler

BETHEL — The storied history of Bethel, Maine dates well back into the 1800’s, with historic sites dotting the area. Bethel has a total of 10 locations listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the well known Doctor Moses Mason House, and the soon to be refurbished Gehring Clinic. An overview of many of these locations have been covered in articles by Rose Lincoln, including a list of the buildings present, and historical focus articles

One of the buildings on this list, however, may be a bit more unfamiliar – Cole Block. At first glance the name may not bring anything to mind – except for those who, as they drive or walk down Main Street, took a moment to look up. The name can be found sitting prominently on display on the Bethel town hall.

The downstairs of the Cole Hall is a familiar site for anyone who has needed to register to vote or registered a vehicle for the town of Bethel. The building has been through several phases of use, which can be seen in its construction. The most evident can be seen by any visitor to the town hall – a large, sturdy vault door that remains from its time as a bank. Another function of the building can be seen in a part that is not directly open to the public, but can be seen in the movie “12 Dogs of Christmas”.

The inside of the upper floor of Cole Hall still holds an intact theater, with seats similar to the West Paris Church

The upper floor was used both as a regular stage and a movie theater. An upper seating area would have housed the projector, showing films on a screen set up below. There are still several large screens that are rolled up in the upper floors, though no movie equipment is left. Historically the building has been used for presentations and shows, though it has since fallen out of use as time goes by. Suggestions have been made to refurbish the building, but it was decided that the cost would not be worth it, due to the amount of work needed. The upstairs remains largely untouched, other than occasionally being used as a storage area.

 

 

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