A painter works on stripping and repainting the historic Loma Rica Hall earlier this year, part of the restoration project supported by the Yuba River Endowment and local donors. Photo courtesy of Anita Baker

LOMA RICA, CA (MPG) - The historic Loma Rica Hall is celebrating a much-needed makeover just in time for the holiday season.

Built “by the community for the community” more than a century ago, the 30-by-60-foot, two-story building has long served as a gathering place for weddings, funerals, town meetings, classes and celebrations of every kind. Also known as Grange Hall No. 802, the venue was constructed in 1923 and officially incorporated as a nonprofit community center in 1948.

Over the years, the hall has been cared for by a succession of local groups — including the Grange, Lions Club, Calvary Chapel, and, most recently, the Yuba County Sheriff’s Women’s Posse, which managed the facility from 2009 to 2024. After the group dissolved, stewardship passed to the newly formed Loma Rica Community Hall Association.

The association is chaired by Anita Baker, a longtime Browns Valley resident and current hall manager, with Cameron Vincent serving as co-chair and Terri Ayers as treasurer and secretary. In 2015, the site was recognized as a historical landmark by the Yuba County Historical Society and the Native Sons of the Golden West.

“Per our bylaws, we are to create enough revenue for the hall to maintain itself,” Baker said. “Unfortunately, the over 100-year-old building was in need of repairs. We reached out to the community along with a few businesses to cover the much-needed exterior paint. Thanks to the Yuba River Endowment, we were given more than requested as they knew we could use more than just exterior paint.”

The newly painted and resurfaced Loma Rica Hall stands refreshed after recent community-funded renovations, including exterior paint, rain gutters, gravel improvements and drainage work. Photo courtesy of Anita Baker

Recent improvements include a full exterior paint job, new rain gutters, a French drain, five loads of gravel for the parking lot and a new hot water heater in the kitchen. Additional upgrades — including bathroom remodels, interior painting and a new epoxy floor — are planned for spring.

Crystal Martin, owner of Smart Marketing and spokesperson for the Yuba River Endowment, said the project resonated deeply with many local supporters.

“One of our board members, Steve Springer, actually had his wedding reception at the Loma Rica Hall many moons ago and had a little soft spot for that place,” Martin said in a recent radio interview. “Hopefully, with all the support from volunteers, this will be here for another 100 years for the community.”

Today, the hall is once again buzzing with activity. It hosts In Step Dance classes Monday through Friday, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings on Sunday evenings, and Crossed Star Firearms training on select days. A new art instructor will also begin offering painting classes starting Saturday, Nov. 22.

With a capacity of 50 to 75 people, the venue is available for private rentals. For information or to book an event, contact Anita Baker at 530-701-6571.

Major contributors to the renovation include the Yuba River Endowment, which donated $10,000, followed by PG&E with $5,000, Teichert with $1,500, Loma Rica Pizza Roundup with $1,000, and Effective Measures/Crossed Star Firearms with another $1,000. Many community members also contributed between $50 and $300, helping restore the century-old landmark to its former charm.

The Loma Rica Hall Association can be found on Facebook at Historic Loma Rica Hall. Donations can be made online at zeffy.com or by mail to:Loma Rica Hall, P.O. Box 1776, Marysville, CA 95901.