Cokato Temperance Hall

Cokato Temperance Hall is a two-story wood frame building with a rectangular shape and a front vestibule entrance. The main floor contains a single large room with a stage, while a staircase in the northeast corner provides access to an unfinished upper level.

Built in 1896 by Finnish immigrants, the hall served as an alcohol-free community center at a location called Temperance Corner. The building received National Register recognition in 1976 and has remained an acknowledged historic site since then.

Known as P.R.S. Onnen Tovio Raittiusseura, the hall functioned as a gathering space where Finnish Americans organized performances and community events to maintain their heritage. The building's purpose reflected the importance of preserving cultural identity within the immigrant community.

The building is open for visitors to explore the architecture and interior layout of a historic meeting hall. The narrow staircase requires careful footing when ascending, and the condition of the upper level should be considered during your visit.

Members signed formal pledges to abstain from alcohol, and those who broke this commitment had to sign new abstinence agreements to regain entry. This strict system reflected the core mission of the organization at that time.