A ClacksNet Community Site

The Town Hall

In 1859 the Popular Institute was built at the top of Ochil Street and 20 years later the tower with the bell and clock were added. The tower was a gift from Captain James Archibald, one of the mill owning families in the town.

In 1905 the commercially run institute got into financial difficulties and was taken over by the Town Council and known as the Town Hall.

For many years it was used as a cinema. The first film was shown in 1913 and the first "talkie" in 1931. In the week beginning 12th October 1931 "The Man from Wyoming" starring Gary Cooper was shown on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and "The Big Pond" starring Maurice Chevalier and Claudette Colbert was shown on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

In 1933 the Hall was renovated and had a telephone installed so that advance booking could be made for films. Permanent tip up seats were also installed. Seats cost one shilling (5p) and one and threepence (6p)

In 1938 Newsreels were introduced.

The Town Hall was used for dances and could accommodate up to 75 couples but this became a problem after the permanent seating was installed. The Hall in Hamilton Street could only take 40 couples and the Masonic Hall 30 couples. In 1938 Sidney Platfoot annouced that a new larger hall would be built by Devonvale. The company would have first call on the hall but then it would be available for local functions

It was later used as a carpet store before the hall was demolished in 1986 leaving only the clock and the tower standing.

Bungalows were built on the land occupied by the hall

At present the clock does not work