1012 West 4th Street

Davenport, IA

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.

Iowa Public Television looks at Col Ballroom’s renaissance

By John Willard

Davenport’s venerable Col Ballroom and how its owner — the Quad-Cities Mexican American Organization — keeps it in step will be featured this week on Iowa Public Television’s “Living in Iowa.”

The segment will air in the Quad-Cities at 7 p.m. Thursday; 8:30 p.m. Friday; and 6:30 p.m. Feb. 11 on KIIN-TV, Channel 12.

In continuous use as a ballroom and concert hall since 1914, when it opened as the Coliseum, the landmark at 1012 W. 4th Street has hosted entertainers ranging from Louis Armstrong and Frank Sinatra to Jimmy Hendrix and Marilyn Manson.

Over the years, the Col began to show its age. Then in 1994, the Quad-Cities Mexican American Organization entered into a contract agreement to acquire the ballroom with the intention of using its revenues to support its community education and scholarship programs. Nine years later, the all-volunteer organization owns the property free and clear and has invested more than $550,000 in purchase and improvements.