On July 12, 1939, more than 3,000 people attended the gala opening of the Pike County Activities Building in downtown Troy.

The 75th anniversary of that historic and momentous occasion has been designated as the kickoff event for the grassroots efforts to “Save the Rock.”

“What better time to kick off our efforts to ‘Save the Rock,’ than on its 75th anniversary?” said David Helms, who is spearheading the efforts to save the historic building. “The steering committee met and made preliminary plans for the celebration, and we had a second open meeting Monday night. We had a large crowd and everyone was excited about the plans for the kickoff.”

The “Save the Rock” kickoff event will be from 2 until 4 p.m., Sunday, July 13, in downtown Troy. All Pike Countians are invited to come and show their interest in and support of saving the Pike Activities Building, commonly called the Rock Building.

“The Rock Building was constructed with field rocks from every corner of Pike County,” Helms said. “The handprint of Pike County is all over the building.”

The people of Pike County had a hand in the construction of the Rock Building. Now, the people of Pike County will have an opportunity to take symbolic ownership of the building.

“At the 75th Anniversary event, the people of Pike County can “own” a piece of the rock for $10,” Helms said. “We want people to take symbolic ownership in the efforts to ‘Save the Rock.’

Certificates of ownership will be awarded to those who “own a piece of the rock.”

The Rock Building was originally dedicated to the “farm families of Pike County.” When the Rock Building is rescued and re-dedicated it will be to those who work to save it, again the people of Pike County.

“The 75th Anniversary of the Rock Building will be a gala occasion,” Helms said. “We’ll have entertainment, refreshments, rousing speeches and a proclamation declaring the Rock a local treasure. The funds that are raised will be the seed money to set up an account for the sole purpose of saving the Rock Building.”

Helms said everyone is encouraged to circle July 13 on their calendars and make plans to be a part of the celebration.

“Now is our best and maybe last chance to ‘Save the Rock,’” he said. “Pike County, we can do it.”