Oak Ballroom, Schuyler, NE
Iowa Ballroom Project
Iowa Ballroom Project
• Ballrooms Across The Border • Iowa Ballroom Project Home •
• web site • 175 Higgins Drive, Schuler, NE •
photo from Oak web site
photo from Oak web site
from Oak web site:
On May 4, 1937, the project was completed, and the first dance brought hundreds of people. The Lawrence Welk band was the first band to play the Oak.
In addition to the oak timbers which dominate the ballroom, there is a large handpainted mural depicting a wagon train on the old Mormon trail.
The mural was painted with gold leaf by James B. Ridgway of Council Bluffs and originally completed in the spring of 1960. The 10 ft. by 14 ft. mural was retouched and brightened up in 1993.
The Oak Ballroom today still stands proudly, a famous Schuyler landmark. The sounds of the big bands are gone, but the ballroom lives on proudly as a symbol of the "never die" attitude of the 1930's.
Oak trees from
the Linwood area and stone from the area were used for lumber and
pillars to construct this building (WPA Project) which became a popular
dance hall during the 30's, 40's, and 50's. It took two years to build
the ballroom. The cost of the building was $37,000, with Schuyler's
share of $10,000 being covered by a bond issue.
When work was begun, the site was treeless. Lost Creek was a wandering slough aimlessly rippling along in search of Shell Creek. The banks of the creek were barren of trees and a less likely spot for the shady recreation area of today can hardly be imagined. When the park opened in 1937, 1,100 trees were planted.
When work was begun, the site was treeless. Lost Creek was a wandering slough aimlessly rippling along in search of Shell Creek. The banks of the creek were barren of trees and a less likely spot for the shady recreation area of today can hardly be imagined. When the park opened in 1937, 1,100 trees were planted.
On May 4, 1937, the project was completed, and the first dance brought hundreds of people. The Lawrence Welk band was the first band to play the Oak.
In addition to the oak timbers which dominate the ballroom, there is a large handpainted mural depicting a wagon train on the old Mormon trail.
The mural was painted with gold leaf by James B. Ridgway of Council Bluffs and originally completed in the spring of 1960. The 10 ft. by 14 ft. mural was retouched and brightened up in 1993.
The Oak Ballroom today still stands proudly, a famous Schuyler landmark. The sounds of the big bands are gone, but the ballroom lives on proudly as a symbol of the "never die" attitude of the 1930's.
National Register of Historic Places
Oak Ballroom (added 1983 - Site #83001082)
Colfax St., Schuyler, NE
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer: Christensen, Emiel
Architectural Style: Tudor Revival
Area of Significance: Social History, Entertainment/Recreation, Architecture
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Owner: Local Gov't
Historic Function: Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Music Facility
Current Function: Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function: Music Facility
Colfax St., Schuyler, NE
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer: Christensen, Emiel
Architectural Style: Tudor Revival
Area of Significance: Social History, Entertainment/Recreation, Architecture
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Owner: Local Gov't
Historic Function: Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Music Facility
Current Function: Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function: Music Facility