Hi Myron--

Just found this most interesting site after sending you dance info for May 23 in Dakota City. A former musician here, some more older memories came to mind of former ballrooms and operators. Somewhere, in my disorganization I know of more places, which will send along later.

Lloyd and Sylvia Sampson, in addition to the Skyline in Estherville, also ran the Marcon Ballroom in Iowa Falls. They also had bands in their Rendavous Lounge, which was a part of the Marcon.

And in my hometown of Dakota City IA, Otto Schultz built and ran the Star Ballroom. He had a Chrysler-Plymouth auto dealership, liked to dance, and built the Star next door. I recall as a kid riding my bicycle to the back entrance, and watching Louis Armstrong and his band unloading. Stan Kenton also played the Star, as well as the big bands from the 40's and 50's. Tiny Hill was a friend of my Dad's, and would always stop at the house for some "light refreshments" before setting up at the Star.

Later, when I was a drummer with a rock and roll band, we used the Star for Sunday afternoon rehearsals. They must have paid off, as we made it to a Chicago area recording studio, and charted in the summer of 1960. Our band, the Suades, was inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. Pictures and info of our band is on their web site. We use to play the Electric Park Ballroom in your area, and it seems worked with someone from KXEL named Big George?? The memory is not what it was! I'll dig out some more ballroom sites.

Oh....Lake Robbins Ballroom, Perry Iowa, ran by Pete Best. The Cobblestone, Storm Lake IA, owned by Junior Lawrence. The Plantation Ballroom, Whittamore IA....can't remember the owner but I'll find out. The Alhambra, Twin Lakes IA (I remember seeing Bobby Rydell, Bobby Darin, and many more at the Alhambra). It was torn down in the late 60's/early 70's. Strictly a summer venue, the sides of the structure lifted up to allow the lakeside breezes to flow through.

Thanks for a most interesting web site!

RJ Myers, Humboldt IA

Hi Myron.....

Thought of a couple more ballrooms you might want to include. It would also be interesting, in your spare time (yeah right, eh?) to post photos of some of the forgotten ballrooms and band posters that folks might have. RJ

The Plantation, Whittemore, IA was owned by Hitch Petitt, burned in the 1960's(?)

Woodcliff Ballroom, east side of Spencer IA on highway 18, owned by Nate and Billie Ehrlich.

The Twlight was formerly the Laramar, Fort Dodge. Owned by Larry and Margaret Greer, named "Laramar" from their two names combined.

Ridotto Ballroom, near Havelock, IA. Sometime during the '60's or maybe it was the '70's, there were enough people living close to ballroom that they became an official town, but with a population of 4 or 5 persons, it was the smallest town in Iowa. Gradually the populace moved and the town folded.

Bohemian Ball, about 6 miles southwest of Ft. Dodge on P51, owned by ZCBC Lodge. Dances are still scheduled every Sunday night, 6p to 10p. The ballroom closes during the winter months.