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This summary has been extracted from the March 1987 Historic Structure
Report on Glen Echo Park prepared by the National Park Service. The Historical
Data section contains mention of the Spanish Ballroom in the season by
season summary of the park. The full report is available in the NPS archives
at Glen Echo Park and a copy is also available at Glen Echo Town Hall.
The 1933 Season
The newest attraction at Glen Echo Park when its 1933 season opened
on May 6 was the Spanish ballroom, a new $50,000 structure designed by
Alexander, Becker & Schoeppe of Philadelphia and constructed by local
organized labor …. The structure, built on the site of the earlier dance
pavilion, was of Spanish mission-type architecture and contained 7,500
square feet of dance area. The entire building (concrete, stucco, and steel
construction) was 90 by 145 feet and was designed to accommodate 1,800
dancers. At one end of the dance hall was a stage with adjacent music and
rest rooms, and the dance floor was bordered by corridors, covered walks,
a refreshment area, coat room, and lobby. New and spectacular lighting
effects "were provided in the interior" by equipment installed
in a specially constructed cove and in window recesses.
Following its completion, the ballroom received nationwide publicity
in Billboard. Noting that the structure would "not detract from anything
at the Chicago Exposition," the periodical stated that attendance
at the park had increased because of this "substantial" improvement
by Schloss:
Of Spanish effect, with modern Varicolored lighting subdued into a harmonious
blending of color most pleasing in effect. He gives them good music and
a reasonable admission charge. Needless to say that he draws a fine class
of people.
From the rear verandah of the dance hall his modern swimming pool and ample beach show to advantage and lend a cooling atmosphere to the surroundings. The rest of the park is taking on the same modernistic motif. It all shows progress, which his people appreciate in increased patronage.
One of the first publicity-seeking events to be held in the new ballroom was a contest, extending from August 1 to 19, to select Washington's "Miss Personality." The winner was rewarded with a visit to the Chicago Century of Progress "Hollywood studios" for a talkie-screen test. This placed her in line for a chance to be named "Miss Universal" and awarded a salaried contract to appear at Universal City, California, in motion pictures. Vote coupons enabling the public to vote for "the girls" favored as "Miss Personality" were given with each paid admission to the ballroom during the contest.
1934
[The map with the fire inspection report identifies ballroom as "Spanish
Garden Ballroom"]
1935
... the Spanish Garden Ballroom, where 1,500 couples dance every night,
except Sundays, to the strains of Bandmaster Dave McWilliams' 12-piece
orchestra directed by Attorney Phil O'Brien, is subject to the same policy
of efficient operation that prevails throughout the entire park, .......
1936
Dave McWilliams and his popular 12 piece orchestra will again furnish
dancing melodies in the magnificent Spanish ball room every week night
from 9 to 12 o'clock. Mr McWilliams is planning an entertainment program
in connection with these dances that promise to make them even more popular
than in previous years.
1938
A new policy of rotating orchestras in the Spanish ballroom was commenced,
with "Little Joe Hart and his Boys" performing in the early part
of the season and the park's regular David McWilliams' band returning to
play in August through the end of the season.
1939-1940
Nightly entertainment in the Spanish Ballroom was provided by the Paul
Kain orchestra for the season.
1941
The 12-piece Paul Kain orchestra was again providing nightly entertainment
in the ballroom, featuring Adele Van, a popular songstress, and sharing
melodies with "swingsters, dancers, jitterbugs, and jive specialists"
1942
Ballroom open every night except Sundays, at 80 cents a couple including tax, has been doing a big business with around 2200 persons pushing through the turnstiles every evening.
1943
The Paul Kain orchestra continues to draw crowds to the ballroom (on opening night 2,840 dancers paid the new admission price of 45 cents for men and 25 cents for women) with Joan Ritter, formerly of the Earle Theater Roxyettes, achieving "new celebrity" as a vocalist.
1948
For dancing enjoyment this year the air-cooled, maple surfaced ballroom
with a capacity of 1,000 couples will present Paul Kain and his 12-piece
orchestra of musicians and entertainers whose return after a two-year absence
will provide the latest in dance music every night from 9 p.m. until midnight,
except Sundays. A special feature with the orchestra will be Helen Martin,
charming starlet vocalist.
1950
The park management also included square dancing in the dancing in the
ballroom program for the first time with Ralph Case calling the dances
every Thursday evening.
1951
The opening feature in the ballroom was Sam Donahue's orchestra.
1953
… ballroom appearances of orchestras under the direction of Stan Keaton,
Billy May, Buddy Morrow, Ray Antony, and Freddie Schaffer and his all-female
band.
1958
... twice weekly dancing … first weekly dance session fronted by Mel
Grant. Music was on records and by an eight-piece band. Grant's sessions
will hold forth on a Saturday basis, and there will be regular Friday appearances
by Don Owens and his group with country music.
... Paint is now being applied to the ballroom
1959
... a regular Saturday night record hop presided by Don Dillard, of
WTTG.
1964
The front, or north, section was converted to a fun house ride known
as Jungleland.
1967
[A map of the park identifies Spanish Ballroom as "Roller Rink"]
1970
The Spanish Ballroom was dark and musty.
1971
... the Crystal Ballroom ... being used for utilitarian and administrative
purposes.
1972
meetings … to develop expanded program at Glen Echo…:
"The space in the Spanish Ballroom would be ideal for experimental
dance workshops"
1974 (Annual Site report)
Ballroom and Jungleland - Jungleland is a safety hazard and should be torn down; the roof is collapsing and the floors are unsafe. Areas adjoining the Ballroom need roof repairs.
Improvements made in the park:
The L-shaped passageway surrounding the Ballroom has been converted
to Gallery space: Plaster wallway formed, double hung doors installed,
35 gallery lights installed, five electric heaters installed.
Complete Ballroom roof.
1978
…there was "new life in the Crystal Ballroom." Dances were
being held featuring music by the New Sunshine Jazzband. Repairs to the
structure and facilities, however, were needed, including the installation
of electric and plumbing fixtures and new rest rooms.
1979
.. the Spanish Ballroom hosts Saturday night square and folk dancing
with live music.
1982-83
The ballroom structure was rehabilitated in 1982-83, including the removal
of the Jungleland amusement attraction in its front facade. On July 31,
1983, the 50th anniversary of the structure was celebrated with a dance
featuring Tom Cunningham's Big Band. The celebration dance was one of a
series of Sunday evening dances held in the ballroom that summer.
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February 1997