Col Ballroom, Davenport, IA
Iowa Ballroom Project
Iowa Ballroom Project
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from Col web site
Saenger Fest Halle - from Col web site
The Coliseum - from Col web site
from Col web site
from Col web site
History from the Col web site:
From the Saenger Fest Halle, to The Coliseum, to the The Col Ballroom
From the Saenger Fest Halle, to The Coliseum, to the The Col Ballroom
From the Saenger Fest Halle . . .
Many of the Germans who settled in Iowa had a wealth of musical talent. Some played instruments, some were composers, but most were singers. The Westside of Davenport had numerous German Halls where people gathered over music, theater, and pints of beer. Music was so much a part of the German American life that Davenport was chosen to host the Third Annual Saengerfest, or “singer’s festival.” In that year, 1858, several thousand men journeyed up and down the Mississippi river to join the fest.
In 1896, the Davenport United Singers, along with business leaders, wanted to host the Eighteenth National Saengerfest. Part of the plan was to build a spectacular arena capable of seating 5,000 people. A holding company constructed the Saengerfest Halle in 1898 and rented it to the festival committee for $4,500. An estimated 100,000 people came, this time they traveled by railroad. All the hotels, halls, and guest houses were filled to capacity. It was said that most homes in Davenport had up to six out of town guests.
A band, a reception committee, and many enthusiastic residents met the trains that brought the choirs to town. The fest lasted four days.
Many of the Germans who settled in Iowa had a wealth of musical talent. Some played instruments, some were composers, but most were singers. The Westside of Davenport had numerous German Halls where people gathered over music, theater, and pints of beer. Music was so much a part of the German American life that Davenport was chosen to host the Third Annual Saengerfest, or “singer’s festival.” In that year, 1858, several thousand men journeyed up and down the Mississippi river to join the fest.
In 1896, the Davenport United Singers, along with business leaders, wanted to host the Eighteenth National Saengerfest. Part of the plan was to build a spectacular arena capable of seating 5,000 people. A holding company constructed the Saengerfest Halle in 1898 and rented it to the festival committee for $4,500. An estimated 100,000 people came, this time they traveled by railroad. All the hotels, halls, and guest houses were filled to capacity. It was said that most homes in Davenport had up to six out of town guests.
A band, a reception committee, and many enthusiastic residents met the trains that brought the choirs to town. The fest lasted four days.
Saenger Fest Halle - from Col web site
To The Coliseum . . .
After the fest, the Saenger Fest Halle was turned into a warehouse. In 1906, the new owners added a second floor which was dedicated as The Coliseum, “Davenport’s Dancing Dreamland.” On October 21, 1913 fire destroyed the wood building. A new Coliseum was constructed across the street in 1914, this time made of steel and brick.
After the fest, the Saenger Fest Halle was turned into a warehouse. In 1906, the new owners added a second floor which was dedicated as The Coliseum, “Davenport’s Dancing Dreamland.” On October 21, 1913 fire destroyed the wood building. A new Coliseum was constructed across the street in 1914, this time made of steel and brick.
The Coliseum - from Col web site
To the Col Ballroom . . .
The Col Ballroom was built in November of 1914 by the late Leo Kerker. It is one of Iowa’s oldest operating ballrooms. From Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong to Stevie Ray Vaughn and Marylyn Manson, The Col has hosted them all over the years. The Col Ballroom was inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Music Association hall of fame in 1999, and is listed as a historical landmark.
During most of its early years, The Col was owned by Don Wachel, one of the most highly regarded professionals in the national ballroom industry.
In the early 1990’s, the ballroom underwent a major renovation. It included exterior brick cleaning and extensive interior renovations to the ornate balcony.
The Quad Cities Mexican American Organization took control from Wachel in 1995, as part of its goals to support its community education and scholarship programs. The all volunteer organization can be proud of its ownership and investment in the Davenport landmark
The Col Ballroom was built in November of 1914 by the late Leo Kerker. It is one of Iowa’s oldest operating ballrooms. From Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong to Stevie Ray Vaughn and Marylyn Manson, The Col has hosted them all over the years. The Col Ballroom was inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Music Association hall of fame in 1999, and is listed as a historical landmark.
During most of its early years, The Col was owned by Don Wachel, one of the most highly regarded professionals in the national ballroom industry.
In the early 1990’s, the ballroom underwent a major renovation. It included exterior brick cleaning and extensive interior renovations to the ornate balcony.
The Quad Cities Mexican American Organization took control from Wachel in 1995, as part of its goals to support its community education and scholarship programs. The all volunteer organization can be proud of its ownership and investment in the Davenport landmark
from Col web site
from the IRRMA web site (1999):
The Col is one of
lowa's oldest operating ballrooms having been built in November of 1914
by the late Leo Kerker as a replacement for an earlier wooden ballroom
that was destroyed by fire. The original ballroom was known as
The Coliseum.
In 1991, the ballroom underwent a major renovation that included extensive brick cleaning. The ornate balcony also underwent extensive renovation as well as new carpeting and drapes.
The owner of The Col during most of it's historic years was Don Wachel of Davenport. Don has been one of the most highly regarded professionals in the ballroom industry nationally including being past president of the National Ballrooms Operators Association (NBOA)
Wachel was well schooled in the entertainment business as being a member of the popular band, Sheriff Tom Owens & His Cowboys.
Over the years The Col has hosted them all. From Tommy Dorsey, Stan Kenton, and Frank Sinatra, to The Beach Boys, B.B King and even Jimi Hendrix. What is interesting about The Col playing host to the Beach Boys, this 1963 show was their first ever tour out of California traveling in a station wagon, U-Haul trailor and Murry Wilson driving. Now that's Iowa rock and roll history. Wachel relinquished The Col in 1995, when new owner Michael Cervantez took the helm.
The IRRMA is pleased and proud to introduce The Col Ballroom as our newest inductee into the 1999 Hall of Fame.
In 1991, the ballroom underwent a major renovation that included extensive brick cleaning. The ornate balcony also underwent extensive renovation as well as new carpeting and drapes.
The owner of The Col during most of it's historic years was Don Wachel of Davenport. Don has been one of the most highly regarded professionals in the ballroom industry nationally including being past president of the National Ballrooms Operators Association (NBOA)
Wachel was well schooled in the entertainment business as being a member of the popular band, Sheriff Tom Owens & His Cowboys.
Over the years The Col has hosted them all. From Tommy Dorsey, Stan Kenton, and Frank Sinatra, to The Beach Boys, B.B King and even Jimi Hendrix. What is interesting about The Col playing host to the Beach Boys, this 1963 show was their first ever tour out of California traveling in a station wagon, U-Haul trailor and Murry Wilson driving. Now that's Iowa rock and roll history. Wachel relinquished The Col in 1995, when new owner Michael Cervantez took the helm.
The IRRMA is pleased and proud to introduce The Col Ballroom as our newest inductee into the 1999 Hall of Fame.