ALLENTOWN -- Allentown has a dozen-plus houses, an old grain elevator and a run-down community building called Union Hall.

When a contractor looked at the community building, his comment was, "This is not safe. Don't go in here."

Townsfolk debated whether to bulldoze it to the ground, but now want to do just the opposite.

"We want to save our building. There's so much history in it," said Gail Kruse.

Volunteers are replacing the roof, rafters and ceiling joists, but materials are estimated at $60,000, said Kruse. To help raise that money, the community is hosting its first fundraiser, an auction, at 10 a.m. Aug. 1 at the Tremont Community Building. Lunch will be available.

Union Hall is a one-story, wood-frame building with a high, peaked roof. The circa-1892 structure has one big room with hardwood floors and a stage. It's a polling place, and once was used as a church; wide doors for caskets are boarded over.

It's where people with Allentown ties meet for reunions. Community groups rent it. It's on the National Register of Historic Places.

The privately owned building is maintained by the Allentown Hall Association, said Marilyn Unsicker of Mackinaw.

Antiques and collectibles are sought for the auction, but "we'll take just about anything except clothes," said Kruse. Early donations include a canoe, a saddle, St. Louis Cardinals tickets, used appliances, free Web site design and free services to draft a will.

Kruse's granddaughter, Madi Trimble, 6, of North Carolina, was thrilled to be on that old hall's stage last summer, singing and dancing for family.

She's worried, too, about its future. "She's like, 'What can I bring, Grandma,'" Kruse said.

GO!

What: Auction fundraiser to save Allentown Union Hall

When: 10 a.m. Aug. 1

Where: Community Building, Tremont

To donate: Call (309) 925-5497, 925-5085 or 925-3950.