Loyal,

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as the first ordinances allowed cattle to roam around the village from May 1 until Sept. 5 between 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Horses, sheep and swine, however, were supposed to be restrained.

Disturbances carried a very hefty fine in Loyal’s early days. Riots, noise and other disturbances could carry a penalty of $50. Vagrants, street beggars and drunkards were not wanted either, facing a fine of $25 if they were caught. Those fines were not cheap, as a person making $25 per month in 1911 was considered pretty wealthy.

Entertainment in the beginning was mostly made up by individuals looking for ways to relax and forget about their troubles. Overnight visits to friends for parties were considered normal back in Loyal’s early days and a local theatrical group called the Loyal Amateurs performed during the late 1890s as a form of entertainment. Later on, an Opera House located on the corner of Main and Spring Streets was built to house events like basketball games in town.

The Opera House building burned down in February of 1905, but the people continued to find ways to entertain themselves. Baseball games in the summer, swimming trips down to Bear Creek, fishing from a bridge that used to be located on Main Street, bowling, and skiing in a local gravel pit were just a few of the activities both adults and kids could be found doing around town throughout the year. The residents of Loyal also built a bandshell that was used until the 1940s when it was taken down.