One of the things that help bring a community together is to have shared facilities. Memorial Halls and auditoriums were quite popular around the turn of the century as they provided a place for public gatherings, town meetings, plays, community activities etc. These facilities were usually sited near the central governmental district and enhanced the architecture of the region.
Most of these halls were financed by private fundraising efforts, but sometimes matching public funds were also spent. Most of the halls were built in an Art Deco architectural style which was popular at that point in time.
Of course, the larger the city the larger the auditorium.
Some of these memorial auditoriums have been commemorated on spoons. Below are a few examples.
All spoons are sterling silver unless otherwise specified
1. Acid etched with painted bowl for Chicago with a heavy flower handle
2. Embossed handle from Atlanta, Ga.
3. Bright cut engraved memorial hall for Lima, Ohio
4. "New Auditorium" for Milwaukee, Wisconsin
5. Souvenir style handle for Omaha, Ne. with engraved bowl
Chicago
Milwaukee
Omaha--from photo above
Omaha-- from photo below
1. engraved bowl from Omaha, Ne
2. acid engraved bowl for Chicago
3. Embossed bowl for Denver -"seating capacity 11,500"
4. engraved bowl for memorial auditorium for Redwing, Minnesota
5. Engraved bowl for Northfield, Mass
Chicago
Northfield, Mass
top: fish handle with engraved bowl for Long Beach, Ca
2. embossed demi from denver
3. and 4. embossed spoon from Long Beach, Ca auditorium with Daphne handle
5. embossed picture from Long Beach, Ca.