Danceland Ballroom Opens and Evolves in Early City Era
Danceland Ballroom began Aug 31 1926 on Third Street and A Avenue with Clark's Orchestra. The two story former garage featured a Spanish villa style, a large 800 capacity floor, and a blue beam ceiling of amber lights. Remodeled 1933 adding a Spanish tavern and new ventilation. W H Wenkstern bought it in 1939 and hosted famed acts Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong, among others.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ken Danceland
Third Street
A Avenue
Frank Brookhiser
Clark
Mark Anthony
W.H. Wenkstern
Danceland
Brookhiser
Wenkstern
Wink
Duke Ellington
Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong
Danceland Ballroom Echoes Through Eastern Iowa History
A timeline of Danceland events from 1944 to 1968 highlights performances by Marva Louis Nat Towles Tiny Hill Basie Wagoner Cash Sardo and others, remodels by Gunnar Dahlstrom, television ties with KCRG TV9 and a 1968 farewell as the building becomes part of urban renewal and today lies under the U.S. Cellular Center.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Marva
Joe) Louis
Nat Towles
Marva Trotter
Tiny Hill
Danceland
Hollywood
William “Count” Basie
Gunnar Dahlstrom
Minneapolis
Iowa
Don Wachal
Lou Deklotz
Gibby Gibson
Porter Wagoner
Kenny Hofer
Kcrg-Tv9
Frankie Sardo
Holly
Richardson
Valens
Mason City
Moorhead
Minn
Bobby Vee
Devil
Angel
Conway Twitty
the Velaires
Bobby Sherman
Brenda Lee
Pete Klint
U.S. Cellular Center
Danceland Bowls Through Decades at 124 Third St NE
History covers Danceland atop a bowling alley and bar at 124 Third St NE. In 1937 Red Crown Recreation advertised New 20th Century Brunswick Alleys with pinsetters. 1938 planned restaurant and lounge. By 1946 the alleys were Bowlium and the lounge the Gold Room. W H Wenkstern bought Bowlium in 1953, remodeled. Tropic renamed lounge and alleys Tropic Lanes. lower level leased from the city for two more years after Danceland closed.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Danceland
Third St
Red Crown Recreation
Brunswick
Bowlium
W.H. Wenkstern
Jack O’brien
Wenkstern
Also Mentioned on This Page
the Gazette Archive
Danceland Ballroom
Eastern Iowa Dance Hall
Midwest
Diane.langton
Sourcemedia.net
Diane. Langton
BIG Ljmbo
Pebed Po
Ptenta
Didea 265
Cedar Rapids
Danceland History
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!