In 1858, ten German immigrants in La Grange established the Casino Association of La Grange. By 1880, they raised $12,000 to construct a multipurpose building designed to serve as a performance hall, community gathering space, and school.
By 1884, the Casino School had an enrollment of 200 students, with education becoming its primary focus, though theatrical performances continued. When the school relocated in 1924, renovations transformed Casino Hall into a shared facility for the Fire Department and City Hall.
City Hall moved to a neighboring building in 1968, followed by the Fire Department in 1992 after 67 years in Casino Hall, relocating to a new headquarters across the street. The Senior Center remained in the building until it closed in 2006, leaving it vacant for eight years.
In 2014, the City Council approved a $3.7 million renovation project. The restored two-story, 9,615-square-foot structure now serves as home to the La Grange Visitors Bureau, a performing arts center, and office space for the La Grange Economic Development Corporation.
Despite its name, Casino Hall was never a gaming hall but was always intended as a community-centered space.
