Memories of Danceland Ballroom
Danceland was known as Iowa's smartest ballroom, and it was the best-known ballroom in the state, according to advertisements published during the middle decades of the 20th century. It was the place to be on Saturd
ay night, a place where people gathered
to dance, listen to music and enjoy a cocktail, sometimes even if they
weren't old enough. More than one local
resident remembered waiting for those who were old enough to enjoy
alcoholic drinks to get up and dance so that they could consume what
was left of the cocktails left behind.Danceland patrons were supposed to be at least 18 during the 1960s when Virginia Horning and her teen friends started going there.
"There were a lot of us 16 or so who went every week," Horning recalled. "As long as we didn't cause any trouble we could get in."
Ma Daugherty was there to make sure everyone stayed out of trouble. Those who danced at Danceland remember Ma, the rather intimidating, x-large lady who stood at the top of the stairs ready to "bounce" anybody who misbehaved.
Danceland Ballroom was built in 1927 and like other ballrooms of the era, it was a place where classic orchestras played to dancers dressed in swanky attire. During the World War II era, single gals gathered at Danceland hoping to meet a handsome soldier. They danced to tunes of the Swing Era. In the late 1950s Danceland became one of the first ballrooms in Iowa to bring rock and roll to teenagers. Bill Haley and the comets appeared in 1957.
By the time it closed in 1968, patrons had danced to the music of several great musicians. Among them were Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Jimmy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Johnny Cash, Bill Haley and the Comets, Fats Waller, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Jan and Dean, Brenda Lee, Paul Revere and the Raiders, The Four Seasons, the Beach Boys. The list is longer.
In June 2007 Sarah Dumbaugh Henderson of Minneapolis donated the piano that had been at Danceland to the History Center. Thanks to generous donors, over $9,000 was raised to pay for restoration. The piano is now available for concerts and recitals.
Thanks to the following people for sharing their stories
of Danceland Ballroom
Over 50 years ago, Danceland was known as the “Melting Pot’ of Cedar Rapids. It hosted bands like Kenny Hofer, Leo and His Pioneers and many more...I will always remember Danceland as the place where I met my wife. Who can forget Ma Dougherty, the lady who kept order and kept you behind the stag line or Peggy, the pretty lady who handled the table reservations?
- Marvin Hoppenworth
In 1957 when I was going to Troy Mills High School,
my boyfriend decided to take me to a Jerry Lee Lewis show and dance at
Danceland Ballroom...when Jerry played that piano, he sat on it, played with is
feet and even played backwards. One of the tunes was Rock Around the Clock, and
believe me that floor was rocking…
-Marilyn
Schantz Whitney ...the only authoritative figure in the
entire place was little, old gray-haired “Mom”. It’s true she was old and it’s
true she was gray, but little she was not, and her strolling over to a table
that might be getting a little rowdy, made strong men cringe. She had the power
not only to have you immediately escorted out of the ballroom, but to prevent
your return for a set number of times,
or heaven forbid—permanently...I’ll never forget seeing her at the top of the
long stairway making sure that two guys who were feeling no pain, made it down
that long flight of stairs. …
“Mom was great to have as a friend, and she had many, but she could be tough as a mule skinner when necessary.
- Jim Hayes “Mom was great to have as a friend, and she had many, but she could be tough as a mule skinner when necessary.
If you remember Danceland and would like to share your story, e-mail it to library@historycenter.org or mail it to 615 First Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401.
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