Major Bibliographical References Columbus Dispatch and Columbus Citizen Journal articles from 1925-1980 Quadrangle scale 1:24000 Bounded on the west by Sunbury Road and on the other three sides by the interior edge 11. Form Prepared By street & number 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification - national _ local State Historic Preservation Officer signature I hereby certify that this property is included in the National Register county Zone date code Northing Ohio telephone 10. Geographical Data UMT References Nancy Recchie/Preservation Officer Verbal boundary description and justification name/title Acreage of nominated property approximately 5 Keeper of the National Register of a semi-circular earthen levee.
Quadrangle name Northeast Columbus 22 North Front Street List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: Chief of Registration 614/221-0227. Zone Easting Columbus 665), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated Attest: For HCRS use only city or town X state Louis and Michael Peppe, owners interviews with Earl Hood and Ray Roop, Columbus musicians 3 31461415 414/219 61010 GPO 938 835 organization Columbus Landmarks Foundation As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966(Public Law 89- received MAR 3 1 1982 See instructions in How to Complete National Register Forms 1.
Name and/or common street & number 1590 Sunbury Roado - not for publication city, town - vicinity of _ state _ county - -district - unoccupied - agriculture X building(s) X private _ commercial X work in progress X entertainment . religious _ in process X yes: restricted _ government yes: unrestricted . other: 4. Owner of Property Michael G. Peppe Ohio 43220 yes X no _ federal - local 039 both Location transportation Accessible museum Category None date structure military site code Status industrial Franklin object educational Ownership congressional district public date entered Columbus park 12th Public Acquisition private residence Inventory-Nomination Form National Register of Historic Places Ohio Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service being considered depository for survey records 6. Representation in Existing Surveys Present Use 3.
Classification scientific Type all entries-complete applicable sections 5. Location of Legal Description For HCRS use only United States Department of the Interior 2000 West Henderson Road has this property been determined elegible? title FHR-8-300 (11-78) Valley Dale Ballroom courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Franklin County Administration Building historic 7. Description .excellent X original site X altered _ moved Valley Dale is located on a half-circle five-acre site bounded by a semi-circular platform, and gravel and grass parking areas. Valley Dale Ballroom is a large rectangular wooden frame structure composed of a two-story central block topped by a low arched roofline that is flanked by identical of unknown age is located at the northeast corner.
The building was originally covered with horizontal wooden siding, but in 1941 the facade and side elevations vestibule near the center of the facade was removed and a stairs added at the south- east corner for were covered by the permastone on the facade and replaced by two circular openings. Three small evergreen trees were planted in place of the vestibule, and now are approximately 40' tall. it had a wooden oriental fence around the perimeter and an elevated wooden bandstand, The interior of the Ballroom is divided into two levels: a dancefloor level and a A padded vinyl semi-circular bar is located on the southern wall of the mezzanine and has a curved enamel backboard behind it. Double two-tiered stairways descend to the dancefloor.
At the northern end of the dancefloor is the stage flanked by curved recording booths for the CBS and MBS national broadcasting originally done on the interior. To the right of the stage a small stairs leads to a room behind the stage where there are three wooden bars with architectural bronze countertops. Condition unexposed ruins fair but these features have been removed.Restoration plans call for their reconstruction. Check one Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance _ unaltered entering at the second floor level. A number of the windows level. A solid railing with padded vinyl panels is placed around the mezzanine. deteriorated partial mezzanine level around three sides.The main entrance is at the mezzanine were covered with permastone.During this remodeling the original first floor level 8.
Significance Areas of Significance - Check and justify below - archeology-historic . law _ science - sculpture . military _ social/ _ theater X 1900- .transportation X other (specify) Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) Valley Dale is significant as one of the nationally renowned ballroom dancehalls of the "Big Band" musical era of the 1930s and 1940s. Although the main structure dates Lombardo; Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman; Sammy Kaye; and Tommy Dorsey, along with has a reputation of an excellent acoustical set-up. The Peppe family has owned and operated the ballroom since the late 1920s. Valley Dale was threatened with condernation by the City of Columbus in 1980, but It was of major importance during the first half of the 20th century, and is now generally recognized by musicologists as one of the primary American contributions to the international history of music.
Although a large portion of Valley Dale's 1700-1799 1500-1599 1400-1499 1800-1899 economics 1600-1699 architecture commerce communications engineering industry invention humanitarian Period agriculture Entertainment prehistoric this era that retains its interior and exterior furnishings and design. _conservation - - politics/government _education literature back to 1925,its present appearance represents a 194l remodeling by the nationally reopening in October 1981. -art - archeology-prehistoric - community planning _ landscape architecture - religion .
exploration/settlement - - philosophy 1920s, but it was during the early 1940s that CBS and NBC (then Mutual Broadcasting Dale remains as one of the last few great American ballrooms still in existence from The first Valley Dale opened in 1918 and burned to the ground in an unfortunate New hosted many of the name bands during its long history. Included among these enter- an impressive ground swell of public support resulted in its rehabilitation and significance occurred less than 50 years ago, it has had a significant role in a X music The "Big Band Era" is a period which has become immortalized in American history. 1941-Richard Tulley System) had simultaneous coast-to-coast radio broadcasting from the stage.Valley Builder/Architect 1925-Elford Inc. tainers were:Rudy Valee;Les Brown;Glenn Miller;Artie Shaw;Paul Whiteman;Guy 9.
Major Bibliographical References Louis and Michael Peppe, owners interviews with Earl Hood and Ray Roop, Columbus musicians Bounded on the west by Sunbury Road and on the other three sides by the interior edge 11. Form Prepared By street & number _ national _local As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89 county 614/221-0227 Zone code Northing date Easting organization state Columbus telephone Attest: Chief of Registration Nancy Recchie/Preservation Officer Keeper of the National Register UMT References Columbus Landmarks Foundation List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries Acreage of nominated property approximately 5 Verbal boundary description and justification I hereby certify that this property is included in the National Register 12.
State Historic Preservation Officer Certification State Historic Preservation Officer signature of a semi-circular earthen levee. 10. Geographical Data Quadrangle name_Northeast Columbus name/title 22 North Front Street city or town Quadrangle scale 1:24000 The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: For HCRS use only Columbus Dispatch and Columbus Citizen Journal articles from 1925-1980" according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service. GPO 938 835 Ohio 665),I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated Fed. Reg. Date photos - NR decision Date 5/11/82 1. Name V 2. Location V 4. Owner of Property / 5. Location of Legal Description V 6. Representation in Existing Surveys 7.
Description Check one - unaitered - original site resubmission dates completeness REJECT alterations/integrity Discipline Action: appeal boundary selection owner objection RETURN maps summary paragraph /clarity 3. Classification Federal Agency: nomination by person or local government NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES ruins United States Department of the Interior good Nomination returned for: National Park Service _see continuation sheet /substantive reasons discussed below this' _ moved Working No. the resource justification of exception V 13. Other V 11. Form Prepared By V12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification Phone: 202 272 -3504 context Maps completeness checked clarity Photographs justification of areas X 8. Significance applicable criteria 10. Geographical Data relating significance to Summary paragraph relationship of integrity L 9.
Major Bibliographical Refer-n.- - netional - Date Comments for any item may be continued on an attached sheet NPS Form 10-900-a OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 For NPS use only Valley Dale Ballroom, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio casts are unknown, but Valley Dale was one site where national bands like those on the The survey work of Big Band ballrooms in the nation and the state of Ohio done for this Valley Dale clearly warrants an exception to the 50 year criterion.
Source: Harrison Summers, ed., A Thirty-Year History of Programs Carried on National Page Inventory-Nomination Form Item number National Park Service Continuation sheet National Register of Historic Places received of the other ballrooms listed in the resubmittal materials indicates the relative rarity (3-82) United States Department of the Interior date entered many as ten "Big Band"programs broadcast nationally.The locationsof all these broad- ually expanded as the industry itself grew, so that by the early 1940s there were as of active, well preserved examples of this architecture. For these reasons we feel enclosed list were heard during this time period and transmitted live across the country.
included an arched or dome-like roof supported by exposed trusses.Furthermore an analysis nomination should not be considered comprehensive.It appears however that Valley Dale is an excellent example of early 20th century Ballroom architecture that generally The "Big Band' sound became a regular feature of American radio broadcasting beginning with Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians in the 1920s.The number of programs grad- Radio Networks in the United States,1926-1956.N.Y.:Arno Press,1971. Substantive Review: OH, "Franklin Fod. Reg. Date: 2 Federal Agency:. Reviewer - Recom. / Criteria Discipline. Date Due: 1. Name 4. Owner of Property Location REJECT completeness clarity RETURN Action: summary paragraph Classification alterations/integrity 7. Description 6. Representation in Existing Surveys owner objection Valley Dale Ballroom comments: 5.
Location of Legal Description nomination by person or/local government _substantive reasons discussed below EYALUATION / KEIUNN - technical corrections cited below Working No. 3.31.82-1018 NR decision appeal resubmission .Nomination returned for: NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES -see continuation shoet ACCEPT2/82 - Other 9. Major Bibliographical References 11. Form Prepared By - Photographs checked Signed context clarity Date completeness the resource Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to summary paragraph 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification applicable criteria 10. Geographical Data relationship of integrity justification of areas 8. Significance relating significance to justification of excepticn ye Phone: 202 VALLEY DALE Photo: Mike Peppe, ca.
1950 View showing historic remodel- Franklin County, Ohio Valley Dale Ballroom, ing done in 1941 Photo: Mike Peppe, 1981 view showing double stairway from mezzanine level to dance Valley Dale Ballroom, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio floor Photo: Mike Peppe, 1980 View showing western elevation Valley Dale Ballroom, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio Photo: Mike Peppe, 1980 Valley Dale Ballroom, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio View showing eastern elevation Photo: Mike Peppe, 1980 elevation Franklin County, Ohio View showing rear or northern Valley Dale Ballroom, Columbus VALLEY DALE Photo: Mike Peppe, 1980 Valley Dale Ballroom, Columbus Franklin County, Ohio View of facade from south Photo: Mike Peppe, 1981 Franklin County, Ohio mezzanine to dance floor Valley Dale Ballroom, Columbus, View of double stairway from Franklin County, Ohio Photo: Mike Peppe, 1980 View showing interior dance- floor prior to start of rehab Valley Dale Ballroom, Columbus, Photo: Mike Peppe, 1981 stage View showing wooden bar behind Franklin County, Ohio Valley Dale Ballroom, Columbus, Cocktail Bar Mixed Drinks 150 Beer icon*10 Photo: Mike Peppe, 1981 at southern end of mezzanine.
View showing padded vinyl bar Franklin County, Ohio Valley Dale Ballroom, Columbus, Photo: Mike Peppe, 1981 north View showing stage looking Valley Dale Ballroom, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio NORTHEAST COLUMBUS QUADRANGLE 17 334645 4429600 NORTHEAST COLUMBUS, OHIO 7.5 MINUTE SERIES (TOPOGRAPHIC) COLUMBUS VALLEY DALE BALLROOM DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OFFICE OF THE MAYOR November 13, 1980 Mr. Dellas Harder Acting Ohio Historic Preservation Officer Ohio Historic Preservation Office Interstate 71 and Seventeenth Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211 Dear Mr. Harder: Ballroom to the National Register of Historic Places. be added to the National Register. TOM MOODY, Mayor MAYOR Ohio Historical Center many generations of Central Ohio citizens.It is currently being restored the country.
The "Dale"recalls many happy as well as romantic memories for and I strongly feel that one of the most popular landmarks in Columbus should Valley Dale has continuously operated as a ballroom in Columbus Iam lending my full support to the application for Valley Dale CITY OF COLUMBUS since 19l8 and is one of the few remaining nationally known ballrooms in TM: pm TOM MOODY (614) 258-7878 September 23, 1981 Ms. Judith Kitchen Mr. David Simmons Interstate Route 71 & 17th Avenue Re: Valley Dale Ballroom, Columbus, Ohio completed rehabilitation work Dear Ms. Kitchen & Mr. Simmons: Valley Dale Ballroom as a "Certified historic structure". 1940-1941. (Three articles are enclosed that pertain to this remodel- Ballroom in New Jersey, the present permastone exterior was installed We feel removal of the permastone exterior, which has been the economic hardship.
1590 Sunbury Road Ohio Historical Center State Historic Preservation Officer Request for certification of The prime historic significance of Valley Dale is as host to most tance is not in keeping with sound restoration and would create an undue have faithfully restored the building architecturally and feel the exterior surface for 40 out of 58 years of the present buildings exis- VALLEY DALE BALLROOM ing).Prior to the time of remodeling Valley Dale had wood siding. Columbus, Ohio 43219 the questions pertaining to the remodeling of Valley Dale Ballroom in was constructed in 1923-1924 after the original building burned in 1922. of the BIG BAND ERA"entertainers and musicians(see enclosed musician There has been continuous dancing on the site since 19l8.
I would like to take this opportunity to specifically respond to When Frank Daily leased the Dale and remodeled it to match his Meadowbrook ior views of completed work and historic photos for your review of coast radio broadcasts by NBC and CBS of many of those performers. permastone exterior is a integral part of this restoration. and has been the exterior surface for 40-4l years.The present building Enclosed are articles and photographs with both exterior and inte- list) and its nationally known reputation for simultaneous coast to VALLEY DALE BALLROOM (614) 258-7878 Ms. Kitchen & Mr. Simmons September 23, 1981 If addtional information is needed please contact me at(614) Enclosures President 457-6650.
Sincerely yours, Columbus, Ohio 43219 MGP/dah 1590 Sunbury Road THE ARLINGTON COMPANY the restored building will help in our application for nomination of Valley Dale Ballroom to the National Register of Historic Places. It is my hope that the enclosed information and photographs of Page 2 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND RECREATION SERVICE TIME OF CALL 2 FROM (Name) 2. ADDRESS (Tel. No. if needed) NAME OF PERSON PLACING/RECEIVING CALL FHR-8-227 DATE TELEPHONE REPORT DUBIE Ohio SHPO DETAILS OF DISCUSSION June 1978 OFFICE TITLE 1590 SUNBURY RD. 43219 MARY MAX STANTS AVAILABLE FOR PROMOTION DIRECTOR DANCES / PRIVATE PARTIES WEDDING RECEPTIONS BUSINESS MEETINGS 263-8487 258-7878 VALLEY DALE VALLEI YALL 1590 SUNBURY RD.
43219 MARY MAX STANTS AVAILABLE FOR PROMOTION DIRECTOR DANCES / PRIVATE PARTIES WEDDING RECEPTIONS BUSINESS MEETINGS VALLE BALE *Early 1S.0's home in the iorning. 263-8487 258-7878 1900'S was naies allej wale 1590 SUNBURY RD. 43219 MARY MAX STANTS AVAILABLE FOR DANCES / PRIVATE PARTIES 1935 until 175l. 258-7878 263-8487 VALLEY DALE PROMOTION DIRECTOR BUSINESS MEETINGS WEDDING RECEPTIONS with the reat sound of the BX EACS. * Oral Statenerts: Earl Hood, Jim Killilea and Lou Peppe 1935......The well known local bard of Earl lood becare the hoiwe bard.. . 1590 SUNBURY RD. 43219 MARY MAX STANTS AVAILABLE FOR DANCES / PRIVATE PARTIES WEDDING RECEPTIONS i ssociation in (ricajo. 263-8487 258-7878 BUSINESS MEETINGS PROMOTION DIRECTOR VALLEY DALE * Onal statere t bg Lick Tuiley 1590 SUNBURY RD.
43219 MARY MAX STANTS AVAILABLE FOR DANCES / PRIVATE PARTIES 258-7878 263-8487 BUSINESS MEETINGS WEDDING RECEPTIONS PROMOTION DIRECTOR VALLEY DALE been welcomei lene 1940 AERIAL PHOTO Ohio Historic Preservation Office Ohio Historical Center 1-71& 17th Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211 (614) 466-1500 March 24, 1982 Ms. Carol Shull MAR 3 1 1982 440 G Street, N.W. Dear Ms. Shull: and they have been approvedby the state review board. Garst, John, House Kelly, O.S., Cottage and House Valley Dale Ballroom Grand Lake St.
Marys Light House Denison, William, House Crafts, William, House Stewart, Harry Bartlett, Property Butler, Charles, House Britton, James F., Farm Old Wayne County Jail Mercer Ashland County Franklin Warren Wood Stark Muskingum Portage RECEIVED Wayne Tavener-Sears Tavern Resource Area Pickaway Shelby Port Jefferson School Historic Places Clark REGISTER NATIONAL Acting Keeper McAlpin Bridal Cottage appropriate notification procedures have been followed for the new nominations Floral Hall because of its current condition. Jackson Center Multiple Hulbert House and Salem Methodist Church Complex We are recommending that the Oak Grove School receive a substantive review National Register of National Park Service Oak Grove School New Nominations Hamilton Washington, D.C. 20240 Page two Ms. Carol Shull Hotel Breakers W.
Ray Luce WRL/DAS :vb Resubmissions County Ashland Richland Licking Erie Sincerely, State Historic Preservation Officer Resource Area Crittenden Farm McCune's Villa Park Avenue West Multiple Please let me know if we can answer any questions. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND RECREATION SERVICE ADDRESS (Tel. No. if needed) RAY LUCE OH SHPO VALLEY DALE BALLROOM 4. DETAILS OF DISCUSSION space is same - Exdeplioual,locally Ray's opinion Ameclelland June 1978 FHR-8-227 DATE TELEPHONE REPORT CALL 1.Alteratious ARCH, HisT. FROM 110 TIME OF CALL 3. SUBJECT, PROJECT NO., ETC. OFFICE NAME OF PERSON PLACING/RECEIVING CALL October 26, 1982 Ms. Carol Shull, Chief 440 G Street, N.W. Eight Black History Resources in Cleveland Sandusky Street Historic District Great Southern Hotel and Theatre St. John's Lutheran Church St. Matthew's Protestant Episcopal Church St.
Henry Roman Catholic Church Serquet, Emanuel and Frederick Farm Valley Dale Ballroom Please let me know if you have any questions. W. Ray Luce State Historic Preservation Officer WRL: BP: dd X.c: Regional Coordinators (5) Montgomery Hamilton Sincerely Miami Noble County Cuyahoga New Submissions Stark Franklin NATIONAL Delaware Muskingum REGISTER Encl. Columbiana Commercial Building Dear Carol: Department of Registration African Jackson Cemetery Theodore Krumberg Building National Register of Historic Places Ohio Historic Preservation Office Enclosed are twelve new National Register nominations and two resubmissions. Capital University Historic District Schlee-Kemmler Building The Salem China Company Ohio Historical Center 1-71& 17th Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211 (614) 466-1500 All the appropriate notification procedures have been followed for the new RECEIVED Washington, D.C.
20515 Dear Mr. Wylie: the Valley Dale Ballroom, Franklin County, Ohio, to the National Register incorporating Nr. Peppe's research, and that the nomination is being sent /Sgd/ Jerry L Rogers Dr. W. Ray Luce 004 H32-710 Sincerely, CL-06521 The Ohio Historical Society National Park Service. of Historic Places. We have been informed by the Ohio State Historic Preservation Officer's We appreciate your interest in the historic preservation programs of the House of Representatives Register nominations require that a decision be made on the eligibility Department on behalf of Mr. Michael Peppe concerning the noaination of staff that a revised nomination forfor the ballroom has been prepared 190-Gi1ley) State Historic Preservation Officer Interstate 7l at 17th Avenue Honorable Chalmers P.
Wylie ofa property within 45 days of receipt of a complete and fully documented 700710) Thank you for your letter of October 6 to Mr. Stanley W.Hulett of this BASIC FILE RETAINED IN NR (710) Associate Mac Dougal nomination. The National Park Service sends a weekly notice of new Columbus, Ohio 43211 ) w/c of inc. Director notified if the Valley Dale Ballroon is entered in the National Register. CHALMERS P. WYLIE - BANKING, FINANCE AND URBAN -2335 RAYBORN HOUSE TELEPHONE: (202) 225-2015 HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT House of Representatibes VETERANS' AFFAIRS TELEPHONE: (614) 469-5614 October 6, 1982 COMPENSATION, PENSION, AND INSURANCE WALLER C. BLOOM JOINT ECONOMIC Mr. Stanley W. Hulett Washington, D.C. 20240 Dear Mr. Hulett: from one of my constituents, Mr.
Michael Peppe, relative to his attempts to have the Valley Dale Ballroom in Columbus, Ohio placed on the National As the letter is self-explanatory I will not elaborate, except to say Very tru y yours, OCT 25 1982 Enclosure SUBCOMMITTEES: AFFAIRS Received in Congressional OFFICE BUILDING DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE of Congressional and Legislative Affairs Assistant to the Secretary and Director Register of Historic Places. Liaison Division: Department of the Interior REGULATION AND INSURANCE DISTRICT OFFICE: CONSUMER AFFAIRS Thank you,in advance, for your time and consideration of my request. EDUCATION AND TRAINING CPW/dn Please find enclosed a copy of a letter and substantiating documentation Representative to Congress FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS SUPERVISION, with a response that I may share with him, it would be sincerely appreciated.
FEDERAL BUILDING 200 NORTH HIGH STREET Congress of the United tates could have someone look into the status of his application and provide me 18th and c Streets, N.W. 15TH DISTRICT, OHIO COLUMBUS, OHIO 43215 Room 6254 that I would like to be helpful to Mr. Peppe if at all possible and if you OF INTERIOR 82 0CT22 A9: 02 LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS (614) 258-7878 Mr. David A. Simmons, Historian Ohio Historic Preservation Office Columbus, OH 43211 Valley Dale's Application Dear Mr. Simmons: of Valley Dale was achieved during the 1930's and 1940's as the As an example of this significant national perspective, the As I attempted to locate other ballrooms in order to make this Columbus, Ohio 43219 live entertainment. ing the application presentation meetings that I attended.
national perspective on the big band era and ballrooms." of Historic Places 1590 Sunbury Road VALLEY DALE BALLROOM apparently made by Ms.Linda McClelland concerning the "Statement Kay Kaiser and Les Brown. I have enclosed an updated and verified list (Encl.#l)of the I-71 & 17th Avenue I will attempt to respond thru you to the written comments Register for Valley Dale, it has been my contention that the National recognition Although I diligently followed restoration guidence provided by the architects and your office in restoring the structure, I began their careers at Valley Dale: The Mills Brothers, Sammy Kaye, Register of Historic Places.
(Copy enclosed.) following entertainers and bands got a significant start and or historic significance is primarily found in the entertainers broadcasting location of coast to coast radio programming of This list addresses with some of the magnificent residential structures Iviewed dur- ingly clear that very few ballrooms survive today. the concern which stated,"Nomination doesn't provide any broad find it almost embarrassing to mention the structure in comparison Since the initiation of the application to the National entertainers who have appeared at Valley Dale. and musicians who worked at Valley Dale. response of ballroom operators it has been increas- ers by CBS and NBC radio networks. existance and even fewer that have played the nationally known entertainers, that are separately listed with this letter. vaulted, exposed beam ceiling was returned in the restoration.
is now Big Bear Grocery Store #1, located on West Lane Avenue, across from the Ohio State University's St. John Basketball Arena in but my research has gone very slowly. David, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and I was able to accomplish. Sincerely yours: Valley Dale Ballroom cc: Congressman Chalmers Wylie's Office Attn: Mr. Waller Bloom I hope that this additional information will satisy Ms. acoustical and construction purposes in ballroom designs.This and the subsequent simultaneous radio broadcasts of these entertain- I apologize.for this response taking longer than I anticipated McClelland's concerns.
ional attention to construction detail and restoration research that known during this time period by booking the.finest entertainment I do feel it is significant that Valley Dale became nationally It is also significant that my obviously limited research on remodeling was designed to emulate the famous Meadowbrook Ballroom I located a copy of an old radio broadcast from Valley Dale and I will furnish you a copy when it is available. In my initial presentation, I discussed the fact that the 1941 period of time. Regardless of the outcome of the application to the National Register, I think Valley Dale has benefited through addit- in New Jersey, which incidentally is no longer operated as a ball- room. This exposed bow truss vaulted ceiling which was a standard design for Columbus.This structure was originally the Silver Slipper Ballroom.
national basis has uncovered very few ballrooms that are still in the staff for your cooperation and assistance over quite an extended Fed. Reg. Date Federal Agency: owner objection Date Due: see continuation sheet 3. Classification / 4. Owner of Property V 6. Representation in Existing Surveys T. Description Location REJECT photos ACCEPT Substantive alteratlons/integrity RETURN /clarity resubmission completeness State, County: Ppeal EV'ALUATION/ RETURN" SHEET Reviewer's - comments: V 5. Location of Legal Description 3N92-1018 NR decision sample summary paragraph boundary selection Working.No. maps Proporty: Action: the resource justification of exception V 11. Form Prepared By V 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification Other checked context completeness Photographs to significance applicable criteria clarity 10.
Geographical Data summary paragraph relating significance to Questions concerning this.
Date justification of areas relationship of integrity Maps ( Compiled from newspaper advertisements by Phil Sheridan') Tommy Ryan Sammy Kaye Ted Fio Rito Bob Chester Earl "Father" Hines Hal Kemp Paul Whiteman Perry Como Gene Krupa Jo Stafford Helen O'Connell PAGE 1 of 3 PAGES Don Betty Hutton Jan Savitt Ink Spots Bob Crosby Mildred Bailey Lional Hampton Fletcher Henderson Dick Stabile Fats Waller Jack Teagarden Les Brown Guy Lombardo Ray Eberly Charlie Barnet Russ Morgan Claude Hopkins Cab Calloway Ben Pollack Vincent Lopez Shep Fields Frankie Masters Horace Heidt Isham Jones Carmen Lombardo Charlie Spivak Glenn Miller Anson Weeks Mike Douglas Duke Ellington Jan Garber Kay Kyser Ben Bernie George olsen Red Norvo Artie Shaw Bobby Sherwood Glen Gray Will Bradley VALLEY DALE HONOR ROLL OF BIG BANDS & ENTERTAINERS Don Cornell Ted Weems Rudy Valee Alvino Rey & King Sisters Will osborne Woody Herman Chales "Buddy" Rogers Ina Ray Hutton Bunny Berigan Frank Sinatra Mills Brothers Jimmie Lunceford Tommy Dorsey Henry Busse Joe Williams Wee Bonnie Baker And of course, Columbus' own Earl Hood Orchestra, the Dale's house band for many years.
PAGE 2 of 3 PAGES Dorothy Lamour Harriet Hillard Herbie Kay Bing Crosby Gus Arnheim Fred Warings-Pennsylvanians Kenny Sargent Bernie Cummins Orrin Tucker George Hall Gracie Barrie Skinnay Ennis Helen Forest Jack Teagraden Abe Lyman Hal Linden Johnny Long Bobby Hackett Art Kassel Helen Ward Bill Kenny Alice Faye Phil Harris Ace Brigode Merv Griffin Ozzie Nelson Nan Wynn Dolly Dawn Dick Jurgens Ray Pearl VALLEY DALE HONOR ROLL OF BIG BANDS,& ENTERTAINERS Those bands listed are known to have played Valley Dale, Jimmy Joy their appearances can be authenticated in black &white. Pee Wee Hunt Doris Robbias Red Nichols & 5 Pennies Others will be added when Muzzy Marcellino Harry James Buddy Rogers Tommy Tucker Freddy Martin Eddy Duchin Sammy Watkins many of them more than once.
NATIONALLY KNOWN BALLROOMS Chicago, IL ( Open ) Lós Angeles, CA Hollywood, CA New Rochelle, NY Detroit, MI New York City, NY Cedargrove, NJ (Discontinued dancing Steel Pier Ballroom A.K.A.
Million Dollar Pier Atlantic City, NJ ( Open ) Coconut Grove Ballroom Denver, CO Santa Cruse, CA Boston, MA Santa Monica, CA PAGE 1 of 2 PAGES 1923 1926 1922 1918 1920'SWAS Park Ballroom Trianon Ballroom Palomar Ballroom (closed) Aragon Ballroom Roseland Dance City See article enclosed Ballroom (Torn down 1982) 1952-Torn down) (Private, Summer only) (closed early 1950's) Meadowbrook Ballroom ( Open ) Elitch's Gardens (Was Rainbow Ballroom - Burned 1939) 1960'S ROCK GROUPS Pour Seasons Rhoades Brothers Gene Chandler Booker T & the M.G,'s Al Green Ike & Tina Turner Bobbie Blue Bland PAGE 3 of 3 PAGES Impressions B.B.King Chubby Checker Isley Brothers Otis Redding Ohio Express Nancy Wilson Ike Chuck Jackson Rusty Bryand Ruphis & Carla Thomas ( Open ) Avalon Ballroom Oakland, CA ( Open ) Starlight Ballroom Los Angeles, CA Santa Monica, CA Chicago, IL ( OPEN ) VALLEY DALE BALLROOM COLUMBUS, OHIO 1980, pp.
97 - 99. 1980, pp:120 - 121. 1935 1920 1925 NATIONALLY KNOWN BALLROOMS Cataline Island,CA 1935 New York City,N.Y. New York, Charles Scribner & Sons Stanley Dance: THE WORLD OF COUNT BASIE COLUMBUS - AMERICA'S CROSSROADS Tulsa, Continental Heritage Press Inc.
Fremont, Ohio Toledo, Ohio Cleveland, Ohio ( Open ) Strongsville, Ohio Cincinatti, Ohio North Olmsted, Ohio Youngstown, Ohio Forest- Gables Ballroom Dayton, Ohio Araqon Ballroom - Olentangy Park Ballroom Indianola Park Ballroom Buckeye Lake, Ohio Geauga Lake Ballroom Geauga Lake, Ohio Berwick, Ohio Indian Lake, Ohio Sandusky, Ohio Vermillion, Ohio Catawba, Ohio Crystal Ballroom Trianon Ballroom OHIO BALLROOMS Columbia Ballroom Ruggles Beach Ballroom Spring Lakes Ballroom Buckeye Lake Pier Ballroom Cedar Point Ballroom Smith's Ballroom Castle Farm Ballroom Gem Beach Ballroom (closed) Rainbow Ballroom, (Infrequent- Greenwich Village Ballroom Summer only) Iaora Park Ballroom & olentangy River Rd.) PAGE 1 OF TWO PAGES Columbus, Ohio Scioto Rv.Rd.- St. Rt.
33) Greermill Ballroom; (Fishinger & Russell's Point Ballroom Walford, Iowa Roaring 20's Ballroom San Antonio, Texas Howells, Missouri Youngstown, Ohio Valleydale Ballroom Columbus, Ohio Hamilton, Indiana Cleveland, Ohio Bloomington, Illinois N. Riverside, Illinois Edelstein, Illinois Metropolis, Illinois Celina, Ohio Clear Lake, Iowa Wichita, Kansas Dallas, Texas Houston, Texas El Reno, Oklahoma Kingsdale Recreation Center Bellavisto, Arkansas Cherokee Village, Arkansas Brookfield, Missouri Riverton, Illinois Highland, Illinois Decorah, Iowa Peony Park Omaha, Nebraska Davenport, Iowa Community Hall New Vienna, Iowa Lakewood Ballroom.
Lake View, Iowa Hamel, Minnesota Worthington, Minnesota Waterloo, Iowa Fairyland Ballroom Long Grove, Iowa Fort Wayne, Indiana Dubuque, Iowa Sleepy Eye, Minnesota Northfield Ballroom Northfield, Minnesota Bell-Rae Ballroom Moundsview, Minnesota Two Rivers Festival at Nollen Plaza West Des Moines, Iowa St. John's Activity Center Sherman, Ohio Wintergarden Chandelier Coliseum Tuxedo Junction Dubuque Fairgrounds Orchard Inn Moose Lodge Electric Park Teara Ballroom Surf Ballroom The Cold Springs Resort Knights of Columbus Lindendale Park Medina Ballroom Omaha Center Carousel Ballroom Matterip Ballroom Aragon Ballroom Coliseum Ballroom Ponderosa Ballroom Scottish Rite Bldg.
Ernie's Palace Cotillion Ballroom Utica, Nebraska Idora Park Ballroom 4 Seasons Ballroom Howells Ballroom Melody Mill Elks Lodge Hub Ballroom Val-Air Ballroom Flying V Ballroom Erie Beach Ballroom Port Clinton, Ohio ( Open ) Celina, Ohio Geneva on the Lake Ballroom Canton, Ohio Cincinatti, Ohio Versailles, Ohio PAGE 2 of TWO PAGES OHIO BALLROOMS Edgewater Park Ballroom Carousel Ballroom (closed) Geneva on the Lake, Ohio Crystal Ball Ballroom THE NEW YORK TIMES, TUESDAY, AUGUST 31, 1982 approved today by the Westchester County Board of Legislators. Casino Inc. a 10-year lease with an op. tion to renew the agreement for 15 more years. Under the agreement.. which the legislators approved by a 16-to-1 vote, island Casino will spend as much as $1.6 million to renovate the casino on the Long Island Sound in New Rochelle. WHITE PLAINS, Aug.
30 (AP) - The Glen Island Casino, a popular nightspot during the Big Band Era, will be restored under an agreement The Region Big Band Club To Be Restored . The arrangement gives Island Stereo LP entertainment halls, the Aragon and Trianon, were known coast-to-coast as "America's most beautiful ballrooms.' Six Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey, Guy Lombardo, Lawrence Welk and many others could be heard echoing from the high domed cellings of these lavishly decorated facilities. In those days oblivion, for these magnificent structures for ballroom dancing mecca, closed in 1954 and was demolished shortly thereafter to make room for an urban renewal project. The Aragon, on the other hand, is still standing but has undergone some radical most beautiful ballroom in the country with its heavily Spanish lighting fixtures, iron grillwork, blue domed ceiling with AP-41779 than anywhere else in Chicago.
Chicago after many years of dormancy.I sincerely hope that you as it has for me. Thank you. years. The Trianon, once Chicago's southside entertainment contained on this album brings back as many fond memories for Those golden days of yesterday have long since faded into The Aragon itself is a structure so steeped in history and ornamented archways, geometrically designed balconies, more people probably fell in love at the Aragon and Trianon This album celebrates the triumphant return of big band similar events that are booked there throughout the year. fifty years after its initial construction, the Aragon is still the you enjoy this nostalgic return to yesterday and that the music music and ballroom dancing to both the Aragon and the city of indeed, a place of deep romantic and statuesque beauty.
tradition that it is a virtual treasure chest of golden memories twinkling stars and overall motif of a Moorish palace.It is have been sorely missing from the Chicago scene for nearly20 host to a wide variety of pop and rock concerts as well as other nights per week music from such famous bands as Wayne King, from the halcyon days of big band music.Even today, some changes since the days of the big band.The Aragon now plays During the 1920's,30's and 40's, two of Chicago's fine dancing was synonymous with romance and it is guessed that VALLEY DALE BALLROOM (614) 258-7878 I-71 & 17th Avenue Dear Mr. Simmons: by the architects and your office in restoring the structure, I following entertainers and bands got a significant start and or ingly clear that very few ballrooms survive today. live entertainment.
I will attempt to respond thru you to the written comments ing the application presentation meetings that I attended. of Historic Places 1590 Sunbury Road to the National Register As an example of this significant national perspective, the Columbus, Ohio 43219 of Significance" of Valley Dale's application for the National Valley Dale's Application Ohio Historic Preservation office I have enclosed an updated and verified list (Encl.#l)of the Mr. David A.
Simmons, Historian Columbus, OH 43211 National recognition historic significance is primarily found in the entertainers find it almost embarrassing to mention the structure in comparison with some of the magnificent residential structures I viewed dur- broadcasting location of coast to coast radio programming of Since the initiation of the application to the National national perspective on the big band era and ballrooms." response (copy of ballroom operators (Encl.#2) it has been increas- Register for Valley Dale, it has been my contention that the Kay Kaiser and Les Brown. is now Big Bear Grocery Store #1, located on West Lane Avenue, across David, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and National Register, I think Valley Dale has benefited through addit- I was able to accomplish. Attn: Mr.
Waller Bloom acoustical and construction purposes in ballroom designs.This ional attention to construction detail and restoration research that entertainers, that are separately listed with this letter. vaulted, exposed beam ceiling was returned in the restoration.
remodeling was designed to emulate the famous Meadowbrook Ballroom Sincerely yours: known during this time period by booking the finest entertainment I apologize.for this response taking longer than I anticipated It is also significant that my obviously limited research on existance and even fewer that have played the nationally known exposed bow truss vaulted ceiling which was a standard design for national basis has uncovered very few ballrooms that are still in in New Jersey, which incidentally is no longer operated as a ball- from the Ohio State University's St.John Basketball Arena in Valley Dale Ballroom Congressman Chalmers Wylie's Office but my research has gone very slowly. Mcclelland's concerns. ers by CBs and NBc radio networks. In my initial presentation, I discussed the fact that the 1941 The original design and the194l remodel incorporated the room.
the staff for your cooperation and assistance over quite an extended Columbus.This structure was originally the Silver Slipper Ballroom. Regardless of the outcome of the application to the I hope that this additional information will satisy Ms. I do feel it is significant that Valley Dale became nationally period of time. Another good example of this type of ceiling can be found in what Ilocated a copy of an old radio broadcast from Valley Dale and I will furnish you a copy when it is available.
( Compiled from newspaper advertisements by Phil Sheridan') Fletcher Henderson Tommy Ryan Bob Chester Artie Shaw Rudy Valee Perry Como Helen O'Connell PAGE 1 of 3 PAGES Guy Lombardo Jack Teagarden Ben Bernie Lional Hampton Bob Crosby Mildred Bailey Cab Calloway Jimmie Lunceford Mills Brothers Frank Sinatra Betty Hutton Jan Garber Ink Spots Duke Ellington Glen Gray Ray Eberly Ina Ray Hutton Red Norvo Russ Morgan Les Brown Fats Waller Dick Stabile Ted Fio Rito Gene Krupa Ben Pollack Glenn Miller Bobby Byrne Don Horace Heidt Charlie Barnet Will Bradley Charlie Spivak Isham Jones Vincent Lopez Joe Williams Bunny Berigan Anson Weeks Jan Savitt Shep Fields Jo Stafford Frankie Masters Kay Kyser Sammy Kaye Bobby Sherwood Hal Kemp Paul Whiteman Mike Douglas Don Cornell Claude Hopkins Ted Weems Will Osborne Alvino Rey & King Sisters Carmen Lombardo Woody Herman Henry Busse Teddy Wilson Benny Goodman VALLEY DALE HONOR ROLL OF BIG BANDS & ENTERTAINERS Tommy Tucker Sonny Dunham And of course, Columbus' own Earl Hood Orchestra, the PAGE 2 of 3 PAGES Gus Arnheim Skinnay Ennis Freddy Martin Bing Crosby Bobby Hackett Nan Wynn Harriet Hillard Herbie Kay Dick Jurgens Jimmy Joy Ace Brigode Bernie Cummins George Hall Hal Linden their appearances can be authenticated in black & white.
Abe Lyman Fred Warings-Pennsylvanians Kenny Sargent Art Kassel Buddy Rogers Ozzie Nelson Jack Teagraden Orrin Tucker Gracie Barrie Harry James Merv Griffin Alice Faye Ray Pearl Bill Kenny Helen Ward Others will be added when Dorothy Lamour Johnny Long Phil Harris Doris Robbias Dolly Dawn Wee Bonnie Baker Those bands listed are known to have played Valley Dale, VALLEY DALE HONOR ROLL OF BIG BANDS,& ENTERTAINERS many of them more than once. Pee Wee Hunt Muzzy Marcellino Sammy Watkins Helen Forest McKinney's Cotton Pickers Redman-took over) Dale's house band for many years.
Gene Chandler Al Green Ike & Tina Turner Impressions Rhoades Brothers B.B.King Chuck Jackson Isley Brothers Chubby Checker Four Seasons VALLEY DALE HONOR ROLL OF BIG BANDS & ENTERTAINERS Ohio Express Otis Redding Bobbie Blue Bland 1960'S ROCK GROUPS Booker T & the M.G,'s Willie Mitchel PAGE 3 of 3 PAGES Rusty Bryand Ruphis & Carla Thomas Nancy Wilson Chicago, IL ( Open ) (Was Rainbow Ballroom - Burned 1939) Hollywood, CA New Rochelle, NY Detroit, MI New York City, NY (Discontinued dancing A.K.A.
Million Dollar Pier Atlantic City, NJ ( Open ) Coconut Grove Ballroom Denver, co Santa Cruse, CA (Private, Summer only) Boston, MA Santa Monica, CA PAGE 1 of 2 PAGES 1920 1918 1923 1926 1922 Meadowbrook Ballroom NATIONALLY KNOWN BALLROOMS Park Ballroom Trianon Ballroom Aragon Ballroom Elitch's Gardens Steel Pier Ballroom (closed) See article enclosed Cedargrove, NJ BIG BAND ERA OF BALLROOMS BEGAN JUST PRIOR TO MID 192O'S Los Angeles, CA (Auctioned 1952-Torn down) Ballroom down 1982) (closed early 1950's) Raymor Ballroom Greystone Ballroom Palomar Ballroom Palladium Ballroom Lakeside Ballroom Roseland Dance City L.A. (area),CA ( Open ) Avalon Ballroom Oakland, CA New York City, N.Y. ( Open ) Starlight Ballroom Los Angeles, CA Chicago, IL ( OPEN ) VALLEY DALE BALLROOM COLUMBUS, OHIO 1980, pp. 97 - 99. 1980, pp:120 - 121.
PAGE 2 of 2 PAGES 1935 1925 1920 NATIONALLY KNOWN BALLROOMS Tulsa, Continental Heritage Press Inc. New York, Charles Scribner & Sons Stanley Dance: THE WORLD OF COUNT BASIE Santa Monica, CA Cataline Island,CA 1935 McFaddens Ballroom Betty Garrett: (closed) Fremont, Ohio Toledo, Ohio Cleveland, Ohio ( Open ) Strongsville, Ohio North Olmsted, Ohio Forest- Gables Ballroom Ave.
Columbus, Ohio Indianola Park Ballroom Geauga Lake, Ohio Berwick, Ohio Indian Lake, Ohio Sandusky, Ohio Vermillion, Ohio OHIO BALLROOMS Trianon Ballroom Columbia Ballroom Smith's Ballroom Russell's Point Ballroom Rainbow Ballroom, Buckeye Lake Pier Ballroom Crystal Ballroom Cedar Point Ballroom Gem Beach Ballroom Castle Farm Ballroom Spring Lakes Ballroom Greenwich Village Ballroom Geauga Lake Ballroom (Infrequent- (closed) Aragon Ballroom Youngstown, ohio Iaora Park Ballroom Olentangy Park Ballroom Summer only) Cincinatti, ohio Buckeye Lake, Ohio Catawba, ohio & olentangy River Rd.) PAGE 1 OF TWO PAGES Dayton, ohio (Fishinger & Scioto Rv.Rd.- St. Rt. 33) Silver Slipper Ballroom (Lane Ave.
Columbus, Ohio Ruggles Beach Ballroom Greenmill Ballroom: Port Clinton, Ohio ( Open ) Celina, Ohio Canton, Ohio Cincinatti, Ohio Versailles, Ohio Unknown) (closed) (Status Medina Vicinity, Ohio OHIO BALLROOMS Edgewater Park Ballroom Erie Beach Ballroom Carousel Ballroom Geneva on the Lake Ballroom Chippawa Lake Ballroom PAGE 2 of TWO PAGES Coney Island Ballroom Crystal Ball Ballroom Walford, Iowa Roaring 20's Ballroom San Antonio, Texas Howel1s Ballroom Valleydale Ballroom Columbus, Ohio Hamilton, Indiana Cleveland, Ohio Bloomington, Illinois Metropolis, Illinois Celina, Ohio Clear Lake, Iowa Wichita, Kansas Houston, Texas El Reno, Oklahoma Bellavisto, Arkansas Cherokee Village, Arkansas Brookfield, Missouri Highland, Illinois Decorah, Iowa Peony Park Omaha, Nebraska Davenport, Iowa Community Hall New Vienna, Iowa Hamel, Minnesota Waterloo, Iowa Utica, Nebraska Long Grove, Iowa Fort Wayne, Indiana Sleepy Eye, Minnesota Northfield, Minnesota Val-Air Ballroom St.
John's Activity Center Sherman, Ohio Wintergarden Coliseum Tuxedo Junction Worthington,Minnesota Moose Lodge Dubuque Fairgrounds Chandelier Omaha Center Dubuque, Iowa Lindendale Park Carousel Ballroom Northfield Ballroom The Cold Springs Resort Scottish Rite Bldg. Ponderosa Ballroom Knights of Columbus Two Rivers Festival at Nollen Plaza Electric Park Idora Park Ballroom Coliseum Ballroom Dallas, Texas Elks Lodge Moundsview, Minnesota Surf Ballroom Kingsdale Recreation Center Teara Ballroom Orchard Inn Howells, Missouri Ernie's Palace Matterip Ballroom Fairyland Ballroom West Des Moines, Iowa Hub Ballroom Medina Ballroom Lakewood Ballroom Cotillion Ballroom Lake View, Iowa Youngstown, Ohio Melody Mill Flying V Ballroom Aragon Ballroom 4 Seasons Ballroom Bell-Rae Ballroom N.
Riverside, Illinois Edelstein, Illinois Riverton, Illinois Ballroom Operators THE NEW YURK TIMES, TUESDAY, AUGUST 31, 1982 Casino Inc. a 10-year lease with an op-. -tion to renew the agreement for 15- which the legislators approved by a 16-to-1 vote, Island Casino will spend as much as $1.6 million to renovate the WHITE PLAINS, Aug. 30 (AP) - The Glen Island Casino, a popular To Be Restored County Board of Legislators. The Region New Rochelle. nightspot during the Big Band Era, more years. Under the agreemeit, casino on the Long Island Sound in Big Band Club approved today by the Westchester will be restored under an agreement Mary Max Stants remembers that it was back escorted by her boyfriend, Richard, whom she later married. They went to Valley Dale, where Earl Hood led the house band. From affected by the famous ballroom.
many of the nation's top big bands at Valley with her in her Clintonville home were Glenn Miller, Jimmie Lunceford, Artie Shaw, Tom- my Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Jan Savitt and Charlie Barnet. Valley Dale. Among them: Alvino Rey, Les Brown, Isham Jones, Frankie Masters, Jack Teagarden, Ted Fio Rito, Shep Fields, Paul Whiteman, Rudy Vallee and Guy Lombardo. The Peppe Brothers: (L-R) Jim, Lou and Kemp, Russ Morgan, Charlie Spivak, Bobby history of Valley Dale. In 1931, four men Sherwood, Bunny Berigan, Jimmy Dorsey, arrived in a truck and asked Jim Peppe if they crowd" that night, so Jim agreed to let them Olsen, Dick Stabile and Glen Gray. perform. Afterward, the four asked Peppe *SEE INSIDE REGARDiNG 1942 VALLEY DALE REMODEL. Mike. There are many interesting stories in the Famous Columbus ballroom escapes oblivion.
Valley Dale from the air, prior to the Frank Music Scene Special Report / Phil Sheridan A little additional research on my part DANCING AT She was in junior high school then and was in 1936 when she attended her first dance. famous orchestras played for dancing at The big names just kept coming to the VALLEY DALE what he thought of their singing. He told Mary remembers dancing to the music of could sing for the people.It was a slim Dale.Some that came to mind as I visited "The Dale' again welcomes big band fans. revealed that most of the country's most Daley lease. that day to this, the couple's lives have been Kaye, Horace Heidt, Cab Calloway, Hal Dale: Duke Ellington, Ted Weems, Sammy Bob Crosby, Henry Busse, Ben Pollack, dance in 1938. them they definitely had possibilities and ad- vised them to get a good agent. Peppe wanted to help, so he hired Kyser to asked Peppe.
They offered him 50% of their regular gimmick to entertain the crowd, the earnings, but Jim Peppe, who was mulling eventually, he would fall backward off the said he was just too busy to take on any more bandstand. Always there was somebody there responsibility. Go to New York, he advised, to catch him, - always except once. It was - that's where the real opportunities are. on that occasion that Kyser fell all the way to mick, I am told, was removed from Kyser's act Special duty police were required to protect Valley Dale, which is located at 1590 Sun- bury Rd, stands on the site of an old 19th cen- tury inn and stagecoach stop. In 1918, the and named Valley Dale. About five years later, at 8 PM Monday, had just graduated from college. He formed a December 31, 1923, as trombonist Clement Valley Dale after Frank Daley remodeled it.
Tommy Dorsey packed Valley Dale for this but was having trouble getting started. Jim Alspach was returning to the ballroom to You just might make it big. The quartet took played Valley Dale's outdoor dance floor. over an offer from Columbia Broadcasting, building there was converted into a ballroom Another story concerns Kay Kyser, who Rudy Vallee from his adoring fans when he the dance floor and broke his ankle.The gim Frenzied women reached out to touch him bandleader would keep backing up until, Peppe's advice. They went to New York and "Will you be our manager?, the men play at Valley Dale during the summer.As a and tear away souvenir bits of his clothing! band to play school proms and other dates, they made it big,... as The Mills Brothers!
New Year's Eve Dance, he saw the structure The next year, operating as the Valley Dale Company, Jules Melacon and Harold Elford the ballroom, which had attained national foundation. In 1925, ownership passed into At the end of Daley's one-year lease, Lou pany, and the outdoor dance garden was opened. Jim Peppe was hired to manage the Dale in 1927, and Lou Peppe worked there The late Chuck Selby took over as manager while studying for his degree from OSU. In in 1951, and his orchestra became the house 1932, the Peppe brothers leased the ballroom band. In the sixties, the Chuck Selby Dance Club was formed and operated out of Valley cised in 1938, and Lou, who had become the manager in 1935, remained in that capacity until 1941. are those who match their words with action, and Mary Max Stants is one of them. - part of the history and heritage of the people," Mary told me.
She thought maybe a "citizens' support action" might save Valley Dale, and she sorted through her files of folks who had used the ballroom, over the years. save the Dale. Citizen-Journal. Ron wrote a feature article for the C-J, which ignited additional interest in the "Save Valley Dale" movement. Six- Valley Dale Dance" in the Beightler Armory. recognition. parties. times. feasible. Columbus came very close to losing Valley and do nothing to save them.But there also bringing the old ballroom up to modern house band for many years.
This building was just too important to play in the Robert Royce Orchestra for the of our significant buildings and institutions She contacted them and suggested that they Dale, which also was available for private built the present building on the original the hands of the Metro Amusement Com- newspapers, making known their desire to doing back-to-back radio broadcasts from Duke Ellington played Valley Dale many Columbus closed it because of building code with an option to buy.That option was exer- in flames. It burned to the ground. country's leading big bands.
which had become a popular venue for the safety standards was just too costly to be Peppe resumed management of Valley Dale, Valley Dale and remodeled it to resemble his It was in 1941 that Frank Daley leased Dale in January, 1980, when the City of let go.It is a landmark, - part of Columbus, Earl Hood's fine orchestra was Valley Dale's hundred people showed up for a Friends of Mary also called Ron Pataky, the former There are those who just bemoan the loss Tamed Meadowbrook in New Jersey. violations. It appeared that the job of about this time, CBS and Mutual began Bruno Masdea, whose 15-piece band will play Valley Dale on June 6.
The combined show of support was enough Berry will play for dancing, from 9 PM to 1 to influence Mike Peppe, who had taken the Dale over from Lou following the closing, to On Thursday, May 14, the Good Time Jazz To date, more than $350,000 has been Florida will play Valley Dale. A 40-minute spent to make Valley Dale safe and to restore Crew, who has been called "a modern Sophie beauty. Steel fire doors have replaced the old wooden ones, and there now are ten double emergency exits. A sprinkler system has been Friday, May 22 is the date for WOSU's big installed. A new ceiling is in place, and the Victory Dance, which will feature a Patron building has been completely re-wired. A new Dessert from 7:30-9 PM and dancing from 9 furnace has been installed, making a total of PM to 1 AM.
The Chuck Selby Orchestra will play for dancing, and there will be videotaped back into refurbishing Valley Dale. With con- WOSU for details. tinued public support, the big parking lot will be paved. It's even possible that the outdoor dance pavilion and bandstand will be restored for a public dance on Saturday, June 6. The band will play much of the music from the Things look good for Valley Dale, as fabulous forties from 9 PM until 1 AM. Ad- vance tickets are priced at $7, while the price dances. As this is being written, plans are not at the door will be S8. Tables will be reserved yet complete for the official reopening of the for ten or more persons. For reservations or information, telephone Louise at 471-1592 or Mary Stants at 263-8487. casion, - possibly the Tommy Dorsey Or- The Other Music is back in force!
If you'd chestra, but that will depend upon available like it to continue, show your support by at- On Friday, May 1, Spook Beckman will Valley Dale, the Ohio Theatre, and Country Dinner Playhouse. Inside Columbus will keep cing will be from 9 PM to 1 AM. On Friday, May 8, the Rotary Club will MASDEA BIG DANCE BAND, available for booking, - telephone (614) 471-1592. Zoo. The bands of Rick Monroe and Al eventually. concert will be followed by dancing. Ruth Selby Orchestra with Anne Young and the Reprinted from Inside Columbus (5/3/81) four to heat the building. various groups schedule private and public big band features during the dessert. Call dates and tour routing.
Louise Masdea called me to say that the name band will be brought in for the oc- sponsor a benefit dance for the Columbus much of the historic ballroom's original Sammy Kaye played his sweet music for danc- Capital City Jazz & Dixieland Band with ing at Valley Dale. go ahead with the major renovation. begin at 8 PM and end at midnight. Bruno Masdea 15-piece Dance Band will play you fully informed about future events. present a dance party featuring the Chuck Band from Rosie O'Grady's in Orlando, and presented courtesy of the BRUNO Mike Peppe plans to pump earned profits Marilyn Daye. Tickets are priced at $7. Dan- celebrated dance hall, but it is likely a big Tucker," will be featured. The event will tending the exciting events scheduled at OHIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY Volume 20 No. 7 July 1981 The era of the "Big Band Sound," bands that played there were heard bands.
In 1931 Kay Kyser spent three throughout America. Today the Dale is months at the ballroom. In 1935 the began to disintegrate near the time the one of the few nationally known ball- well-known local band of Earl Hood be- United States entered the second World rooms remaining in the country. came the house band, a title it held until War. American men and women be- The history of Valley Dale began in New Year's Eve of 1950 when it retired. the 1800s when an inn and stagecoach country's war effort and simply did not stop were located on the spot on which the ballroom later stood. Sunbury Road fore. Gasoline was rationed, and a drive at the time was a toll road, and people pening in October with Glen Gray, the to the local dance hall became an unnec- would stop at the inn while traveling or Dale then hosted the back-to-back essary waste of the precious fuel.
After broadcasts of CBS and NBC on a coast- the war, the popularity of the big bands and Columbus. In 1918 a building on the to-coast hook-up. The Dale had reached did not return with the same intensity. present site was converted into a ball- its zenith - it became known nationally There seemed little interest in a resur- room and was named Valley Dale. In an as one of the great ballrooms with a rep- unfortunate New Year's Eve fire in 1923, the building was burned to the ground. business. Today very few remain stand tinctive interior featured a large dance around the dance floor, placed shrubs floor with a stage flanked by rounded re- Due to the persistence of the owners and other plantings around it, and con- tinued the dancing in the "Sunken Gar- tions and decorated with padded vinyl however, one central Ohio ballroom not dens" until a new building was com- at one end.
A staircase led to the balcony only survived through the years after pleted in 1924. This is the building that containing a padded vinyl circular bar. the war, but will be reopened this year to remains today. The new building con- In 1951, after the retirement of the Earl tained a wooden dance floor anchored Hood band, the Chuck Selby band be- sounds of big bands. Valley Dale, on under the bandstand. The floor would came the house band. Then in 1980 Val- Sunbury Road in Columbus, is currently rise and fall with the flood waters from ley Dale was threatened with condem- being renovated and refurbished in an- nearby Alum Creek. In 1925 an outdoor nation by the City of Columbus. An ticipation of a reopening later this year.
dance garden was opened, remaining so "incredible groundswell" of public and During its heyday, Valley Dale had si- until 1961, and even at this early date media support for its preservation con- vinced owner Michael G. Peppe to reha- by CBS and NBC radio networks. The the Dale, long before the era of the big The bandstand of the "Sunken Garden," the outdoor dance floor, as it ap- which operated from the 1920s until 1961. peared in the 1940s.
ECHOES transporting goods between Sunbury utation for an unusual and outstanding Era of Big Bands Preserved in Central Ohio Ballroom well-known bands were appearing at came increasingly involved with the and the support of the local citizens, Under new management in 1941, the Dale was remodeled after the famed popular in the 1930s and early 1940s, cording booths used by the radio sta- rooms were unable to keep a steady attend dances in such numbers as be- acoustical set-up. At the time the dis- Undaunted, the owners leveled the area continued on page 4 This aerial photo of Valley Dale, taken in 1940, shows the outdoor dance floor multaneous coast-to-coast broadcasts Meadowbrook in New Jersey. Reo- gence of ballroom dancing, and ball- ing. It's difficult to stretch a dollar very far nowadays. But, with a membership in the Ohio Historical Society, you can still George W.
Barker for those persons who wish to make a John O. England one-time payment of $500 and become Mr. & Mrs. Richard J. Miller you to many special benefits, including: Dr. Robert J. Weber - Unlimited free admission at the Ohio also permits persons to contribute to the R. D. Wickerham Historical Society's museums, memo- work of the Society in amounts greater rials, and other historical attractions - Substantial discounts or free admis- ships. Annual supporting memberships are accepted for contributions of $35, Frances A. Miller, M.D forming arts events, and exhibits, con- Those who have contributed as annu- The Ohio Historical Society is a pri- ferences, and outdoor festivals vate, non-profit corporation, and some - Free subscription to the monthly Socie- 1981, through May 10, 1981, are as fol- contributions may be deductible for fed- ty newsletter, Echoes eral income tax purposes.
- New - Renewal - Individual S10 - Discount on Society-published books William F. Adamescu, Matt Blackburn, - Family $15 and other publications Mrs. Lee S. Brook, Zane Caverns, Mr. & - Organization $200 Mrs. Bobby J. Clark, Mr. & Mrs. E. E. - Supporting $100, $50, $35 Colby, Robert Delgado, Charline Flack L Life Membership $500 Mr. & Mrs. Robert K. Fox, Wesley T. L Subscription to The Society honors the Golden Buck- Harrison, David R. Herritt, Richard L. eye Card. Holders of the card can save a Herzog, Mrs. Hessie M. Hosafros, Carl full 20 percent on the cost of member- E. Kaiser, Sr., Mr. & Mrs. Edward ship simply by entering the card num- Kusmierz, John F. Long, DVM, Harry ber in the appropriate spot on the mem- H. Long, Jr., Rollo M. Marchant, Mr. & Mrs. Donald McKinney, Mrs. Lynn E. In addition to the annual individual Gary L. Rogers, Mr. & Mrs. Earl Royer, State - Zip Kenneth J.
Shew, Howard G. & Helen W. Smith - Please send me a renewal reminder for On May 5, 1852, delegates from print- Total Amount S - - O Cash O Check Ness, Director of the Ohio Historical So- ers' societies in nine states met in Cin- cinnati and formed the International Ty- of the ceremony and member of the - Master Card pographical Union, currently the oldest Ohio Labor History Project, represented event, a bronze marker was dedicated on May 5, 1981, at Cincinnati City Hall. The ceremony took place on the spot where the union was formed 129 years ago. A three-and-one-half-foot-square Ohio Historical Society bronze marker, sponsored by the Ohio Labor History Project, was installed in Society, I-71 and 17th Ave., Columbus, OH 43211, (614) 466-1500. Subscriptions available through any society membership. Individual Local No. 524, which donated the man- annual S10. Family annual $15.
Organization power and materials. Joe Bingel, Presi- dent of the International Typographical Cincinnati Mayor David S. Mann; Joe Bingel, $5000. Other membership privileges include a Union, Oscar G. Lee, President of the 20% discount on society publications and free Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council, and admission to all sites. Life, Patron, and Bene- Typographical Union No. 3; Fay Coder, Secretary- Mayor David S. Mann, attended the cer- factor members also receive a subscription to Treasurer of Cincinnati Typograhical Union No. 3, emony with other Cincinnati city offi- and Dr. Gary C. Ness, Ohio Historical Society Di- ceived at least two months before publication rector, were among those who attended the dedica- date. Editors are encouraged to reprint articles with credit. Nancy Pollack, editor, Bruce Baby, pographical Conference. Dr. Gary C. Echoes July 1981 Date City Name designer.
Signature Street International Typographical VISA bership application. OHS Membership - Your Money's Worth Union Marker Dedicated Account No. Annual Membership Expiration date Historical Society as part of its Ohio ECHOES(ISSN 0012-933X) Published monthly by the Ohio Historical Typographical Union and the Ohio Ty- Make checks payable to the this membership next year. Union. Golden Buckeye Card the Society. lifelong supporters of the Society. Donald J. Overly Cincinnati Cement Mason's Union cials and officers of the Cincinnati existing labor union in the United torical Society also provides member- journal of history .Special discount ona subscription to yond the minimum dues. who wish to make a contribution be- al supporting members from April 11, the sidewalk outside City Hall by the Ohio History. Echoes news items must be re- $50, or $100.
through a vote in the annual election Ohio History S5 (non-member rate S8) Send a gift membership in my name to: There is a life membership category Or charge to my today's inflation, your dollar entitles sion to most Society-sponsored special events, including tours, lectures, per- Oviatt, Ernest H. Ress, Paul E. Rieger, and family membership, the Ohio His- ciety, and David M. Holford, moderator States. To commemorate that historic Union; John P. Hennessey, President of Cincinnati tion of the bronzemarker commemoratingthe lows: Zip ship categories designated for those An annual supporting membership than individual and family member- President of the International Typographical Ohio History, the Societys quarterly annual $200. Supporting annual S35, $50, seventeen-cannon salute to Independ- remarks on the geological history of the ence Day at 2 p.m. On Sunday, July 5, area, Dr.
Frederick will focus on the dif- Independence Day will be celebrated there will be a special display at Fort ferent kinds of plants found at Cedar in Ohio Village on Saturday, July 4, with flag raisings, rifle firings, a tug-of-war, a American soldiers from the time of the northern boreal, prairie, and southeast cake walk, concerts by the Ohio Village Revolutionary War until the present. coastal plain plant species. Dr. Frederick Singers, and numerous patriotic and po- has been acquainted with Cedar Bog for litical orations. From 9 in the morning Natural History Programs more than thirty years.
She wrote her until 5 in the evening, a full schedule of doctoral dissertation for The Ohio State activities makes it possible to relive the Martha Otto, OHS Curator of Archae- University on the flora of the nature pre- 4th of July holiday spirit of the mid to ology, and Bob Glotzhober, Assistant Curator of Natural History, will lead a Fiddle and banjo music of the period bus tour to the Newark Earthworks and 1974 Ohio Journal of Science issue on will be played in the town hall at 10a.m. and 11 a.m. At 10:30 a.m., an 1850 regu- to last vears tour of Serpent Mound for the tour, and there is a fee of S2 per lar army recruitment drive demonstra- Seip Mound, and Fort Hill, the primary person. Please call (614) 466-1500, exten- tion will take place. Dr. Balthasar's Trav- emphasis of the day-long trip will be ar- sion 251, to make reservations. chaeological with the interpretation of noon.
The traditional firing of rifles one Special Site Programs background. Mrs. Otto will discuss the the 9th Virginia Regiment at 1 p.m., fol- Hopewell Indian culture, how it came to lowed by the ceremonial flag raising, be located in the Licking River valley, playing of the "Star Spangled Banner, the culture's use of the flint quarried in Ohio will center around activities at the and reading of the Declaration of Inde- the area, and the planning and building Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum pendence. At 1:30 p.m. a Temperance of the earthworks. Mr. Glotzhober will the weekend of July 18 and 19. Hot air Ridge, and he will comment on the plant and animal life encountered at both evening, and Sunday morning. Sunday "Down with Demon Rum." The Ohio sites.
A lunch stop will be made in the afternoon, there will be a demonstration Village Singers will present concerts of of a model rocket launch at 1 p.m. The patriotic songs in the town hall at 2 p.m. Spirit of America model airplane flying and 3 p.m., and the 9th Virginia Regi- group will stage a radio-controlled air- ment will perform its Sights and Sounds ground materials will be distributed to plane show at 1:30 p.m. At 3:30 p.m. of the American Revolution drill in the those attending. There is a fee for the there will be a model rocket launch com- Village square at 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. tour of $8 for members of the Ohio His- petition. (Entry forms for the competi- cake walk at 3 p.m., fife and drum music by the 9th Virginia Regiment at 3:30 open on Monday, July 20, to accommo- p.m., and dancing on the Village green ment at (614) 466-1500, extension 251.
date weekend visitors staying over and at 4 p.m. by members of the Ohio Vil- On the same day, July 18, Dr. Clara for post office cancellation of first-day May Frederick, Professor of Biology at covers commemorating the 12th anni- Urbana College, will draw on her com- versary of Armstrong's moon landing At Fort Meigs, military demonstra- prehensive knowledge of the botany of tions and concerts of martial music per- Cedar Bog as she leads a guest lecture formed by the Fort Meigs fife and drum tour through the nature preserve begin- 12 and a Civil War encampment during corps will be climaxed by the firing of a ning at 1 p.m. Following introductory continued on page 5 The w Brigade Band Ohio Village in July (photo courtesy of Ludens Studio, Torrington, Wyoming). Independence Day Celebrations July Activities Feature Out-of-Doors Events lage Singers troupe.
Museum.) The museum will also be Spinning Guild demonstrations on July Echoes July 1981 and reservations should be made serve, and it was subsequently pub- museum Saturday morning, Saturday tion are available at the Armstrong where participants can picnic or visit A Wapakoneta community celebra- through the Natural History Depart- Fort Meigs will host Black Swamp ata time(feu dejoi)will bepresented by There will be a tug-of-war at 2 p.m.,a vicinity of the earthworks in Newark Meigs of uniforms and weapons used by Wisconsin,1864(photo courtesy of the Chicago Historical Society) tion honoring the history of flight in torical Society (S10 for non-members), eling Medicine Show will be seen at lished as the lead article in the March Bog. She will point out examples of Flint Ridge on Saturday, July 18. Similar Cedar Bog. Pre-registration is required nearby fast food restaurants.
Back- The original First Brigade Band, 3rd Division, 15th Army Corps, at Janesville, late 1800s. songs such as The Home Protection balloon rallies will be held at the continued from page 1 bilitate and reopen the ballroom. The for nomination to the National Register. Significant for its role in bringing top musical entertainment to several gener- ations of Ohio residents, Valley Dale played host to most of the name bands during its long history. Included among entertainers who performed at the Dale Dorsey, Fred Waring, Paul Whiteman, Woody Herman, Cab Calloway, Duke man, Guy Lombardo, Glenn Miller, Fats Weems, Artie Shaw, and Earl "Fatha" Hines. Many of these came to the Dale more than once. In a March 14, 1980, Columbus Citizen Journal article, Earl Hood remembered, You couldn't hear yourself think. Then there was one night Guy Lombardo was there.
It was probably the biggest night ever at the Dale. Both the indoor and outdoor dance floors were absolutely packed. Most of all, though, I remember with Benny, Teddy Wilson, Gene Krupa, and Lionel Hampton. That was Perry Como; Arti Shaw brought Billie Holiday; and Jimmy Dorsey's 1937 band featured Helen O'Connell. In 1977 The Earl Hood Orchestra became the house band in 1935. After its retirement, the Chuck Selby Orchestra earned the honor. mobbed the wavy-haired crooner, and draw was Glenn Miller who came dur- ing the time just after the effects of the Goodman's band featured Gene Krupa.
one of the highest salaried dance band musicians in the nation, who sets the rhythm for Benny Goodman's crack or- chestra, will show his stick work Satur- day night when the Goodman ensemble In 1958, Norman Nadel wrote in the talgia department, it's the band names that stir up the memories for the hun- dreds of thousands who have danced at the Dale. But at least as important as the Royce for example. When Royce quit the and Dusty Rhodes included. Kay Kyser cameup from the University of North Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra entertaining at Valley Dale in 1938. Most other famous big bands played Carolina for a whole summer, before he at the Dale, many of them more than once. Ballroom building is currently being considered Depression were wearing off.
Benny The night Sinatra sang with Tommy Echoes July 1981 featuring a young unknown named the swoons were real." The biggest Ellington, Harry James, Benny Good- band business, most of his boys went Waller, Jimmy Dorsey, Bob Crosby, plays a one-night stand at Valley Dale. owner Lou Peppe recalled, "The hottest According to a local ad, "Gene Krupa, Columbus Citizen Magazine, "In the nos- with Ted WeemsCountry Washburn were screaming and almost fainting. Dorsey was unforgettable. The girls the greatest. Ted Weems came, that great Benny Goodman quartet, visitors were the house bands. Bob of them all was Rudy Vallee. They Russ Morgan, Sammy Kaye, Ted became famous. The Dale was a good continued from page 3 Southerner. Paul Decker, Allen Hale, During the month of July, the summer and Earl Hood were other house bands that did stalwart service over the years. the weekend of July 18 and 19.
The dem- Ohio Village continue with concerts by onstrations of nineteenth-century spin- the Village Singers, temperance demon- ning techniques will be repeated several times throughout the day on the 12th. entertainers during the regular operat- The Civil War encampment will feature An old-fashioned evening band con- with Whiteman at the time. A lantern tour of Fort Meigs will be con- cert and picnic will take place in Ohio In a Columbus Dispatch Sunday Maga- ducted Saturday evening, July 18. Res- Village on Saturday, July 18. The Mil- ervations are required and can be made waukee First Brigade Band will perform through (419) 874-4121. Regular admis- martial music of the Civil War period sion charges apply, and OHS members gracefully, posing and watching, the ra- are admitted free of charge.
(none dating later than 1865) are used by diant young of central Ohio made the Lantern light tours of Schoenbrunn Village in New Philadelphia will take available for purchase at the Village place on July 25 when costumed guides Tickets can be obtained for the concert separately or with the picnic dinner in- community. The required reservations are available through (216) 874-3011. A (614) 466-1500, extension 207. The Don Crawford Band, flanked by the Columbia This month Ohio Village is featuring selected specialty items for sale through Broadcasting System (NBC) radio booths, playing the mail - chalkware from the Glass and China Shop and three broadsides from Valley Dale their mecca. For a good part the Print Shop.
Inspired by English Staffordshire, folk artists made chalkware in America dur- best popular musicians in the country, ing the eighteenth and nineteenth cen- as well as those eager to listen and be nouncer Bill Corley, whose voice radio China Shop. Each piece was crafted in introduce Glen Gray's Casa Loma Or- identical to those used 200 years ago. UNITED BROTHERS, CHANG-ENG chestra. "They did dance holding each other-cheek to cheek. Sentimentality dog, goat, hen, squirrel, doves, lamb, meant something in those days. They cat, man, or flowerssells for $13.50 THAT THEY WILL BE IN THAT PLACE ON listened to the lyrics.' From behind the (please specify which figurine you want microphone the mellow-voiced announ- cer had a view of crowds dressed in the Three broadsides made in the Print finest each owned. Owner Lou Peppe Shop are also featured this month.
A confirmed Corley's recollection of deco- rum. Women could not smoke. The gen- Two Buzzards for December 23, 1869, ap- peared on the dance floor without his Also for $2.00 is a broadside announcing ADMITTANCE 50 CENTS. coat was reminded or shown the way off. The establishment's clean reputa- and Eng, to Cincinnati's Pearl House, tion with house mothers and dormitory measuring about 8 1/4" x 15." A limited monitors made it easy for college girls to get out for an evening." Howarth's Grand Hibernica, an Irish all- star comedy company, each 11 1/2" x 35", place in the memories of many Ohioans. is available for $5.00 apiece. Each of the With the support of the community be- three different broadsides is black ink on hind the effort, Valley Dale will be pre- served so that generations to come will To order these items, send a check or be able to share its history.
money order to the Ohio Village Office, I-71 and 17th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43211. Please add 50 cents for shipping Publications Division to the cost of the items. THE Pearl House Village Craft Items for Sale remembered an- CINCINNATI the Evening. necessary and can be made through Such a rich history has earned its Skip Young of Columbus sang tenor Echoes July 1981 Events tern tour. listeners throughout the country heard playbill advertising The Drunkard and Authentic period musical instruments will lead visitors through the ing hours. Nancy S. Pollack Sunbury Road ballroom attracted the tleman who forgot himself and ap- weekends of special entertainment at drills and demonstrations of camp life. Albrecht described the crowds and at- Paul Whiteman came here once back the visit of the Siamese Twins, Chang when ordering). cluded.
Either way, reservations are this classic American folk art are avail- white paper and suitable for framing. when his vocal trio (including Bing For 5 Days Only. NO RE-ADMISSION TO THE ROOM. fee of $2.00will be charged for the lan- And uill recite Visitors at the the band. Boxed picnic dinners will be for dancers at Valley Dale. turies. Hand-painted reproductions of proximately 10" x 19", sells for $2.00. the original manner using materials eighteenth-century Moravian mission Crosby) was repeatedly asked to do ofthe first half of this century the Each chalkware figurine-carved asa their hit number "Mississippi Mud." sentimental group, able through the Village's Glass and moved by what they heard.It was a strations, and performances by guest W. Ray Luce, Chief of the Society's toric Preservation Office.
The staff con- Ohio Historic Preservation Office, has ducts the Ohio Historic Inventory and the Ohio Archaeological Inventory, pre- Preservation Officer by Governor James pares nominations to the National Reg A. Rhodes. The State Historic Preserva- ister of Historic Places, reviews the po- tential effects of proposed federal and state projects on historic properties, ad- ministers U.S. Department of the Interi- was authorized by Congress in the Na- or matching grants for the preservation tional Historic Preservation Act of 1966.
of historic sites in Ohio, and assists local The State Historic Preservation Offi- cer oversees the development of a com- Before joining the staff of the Ohio Historical Society in January 1981, Luce D.C., office of the National Register of and supervises the staff of the Ohio His- Chicago Avenue Elementary School, on Columbus' near west side, were invited to draw pictures of houses to be used on Celebrate Ohios Neighborhoods the Ohio Historic Preservation Officé's A $17,500 U.S. Department of the In- terior matching grant obtained through picting the theme of "Celebrate Ohio's the Society's Ohio Historic Preservation Neighborhoods," approximately ninety houses, fourteen of which were chosen House. Operated by the Cincinnati Fire to be reproduced on the poster and on a Museum Association, the seventy-four- calendar of preservation-related events.
Preservation Office staff members pre- and a collection of fire fighting equip- sented a framed copy of the poster to the ment. The Fire Museum, located at 315 Court Street, is open Tuesday - Friday, A limited number of unfolded copies 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and weekends noon - 4 of the poster suitable for framing are handling. Checks should be made pay- able to the Ohio Historic Preservation Office and addressed to the Ohio His- toric Preservation Office, Ohio Histori- cal Center, I-71 and 17th Ave., Colum- bus, Ohio 43211. Posters will be mailed The law office in Ohio Village is the re- cipient of a new interpretation system installed just prior to the peak summer season. Visitors to the building will now be able to hear a three-minute tape de- scribe the duties and functions of a mid- nineteenth-century, small town lawyer.
Mannequins representing a lawyer, his client, and a law clerk have been placed in the office. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held May 7 to dedicate the new in- terpretation system, made possible through gifts from the Ohio State Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Foundation, Ohio Bar Title Insurance Co., Bar Asso- ciation of Greater Cleveland, Columbus Bar Association, Columbus Bar Associa- tion Foundation, and Miami County Bar Interpretation Association. Sound System Office State Historic Preservation Officer organizations and individuals. Students Participate in Poster Design menting the cooperative federal-state Historic Places.
Cincinnati's historic Court Street Fire children submitted crayon drawings of Office has facilitated preservation of Grant Project Completed architectural, and historic resources, been appointed Ohio's State Historic year-old station now houses exhibits Echoes July 1981 prehensive plan for ensuring the con- tion Officer is responsible for imple- During their tour of the Ohio Histori- available at $5.00 each for shipping and Introduced in Law school at an assembly on May 21. first-class in a sturdy mailing tube. cal Center, first grade students from historic preservation program which was a historian in the Washington, Plans to complete the microfilming of Library staff member Jim Murphy has the Papers of Rutherford B.
Hayes, the prepared the following list of recent ac- An exhibit featuring the paintings of nineteenth president of the United quisitions of the Ohio Historical Center an Ohio artist will be displayed this summer at the East Liverpool Museum of Ceramics. The works of nineteenth- The Collectors Encyclopedia of Hull Pottery. By The Center received a grant for this pur- pose from the National Historical Publi- highlighted through August 23 at the cations and Records Commission, a di- roducts ot Crooksville, Ohio's Hull Pottery, museum. Between twenty-five and thir- vision of the National Archives. he volume includes reproductions of numer- ty of his works painted during the 1840s ous company brochures, as well as more than 100 color plates illustrating the author's pri- and 1850s will make up the exhibition, Since then the documents have been as- vate collection of Hull products.
A history of entitled "David Gilmour Blythe: The sembled and prepared for filming. The the company from 1905 to the present, as well microfilm edition will be over 300 rolls as data on company trademarks, numbering long (approximately 1,000 images per systems, and lines and dates of manufacture, ings illustrate how his style developed rounds out the book. Collector Books, Padu- roll), containing 170 linear feet of materi- cah, Kentucky, 1980. reer. During the 1840s he painted por al. Ot special interest is Hayes personal diary; he made faithful entries begin- Gallia County Ohio: People in History to 1980. The Gallia County Historical Society, Mary ning in his childhood until his death in Allison and Henrietta Evans, Co-Chairmen. 1893.
When the project is completed in genre paintings, which often showed 1982, copies of the 300 rolls, along with a this book will be of considerable interest to the seamy side of urban living in the anyone with roots in Gallia County. An able but all too brief history of Gallia County nineteenth century, were the ones for and its general location on film, will be written by Ivan M. Tribe, enhances the work offered to research libraries and institu- tations on planned. Taylor Publishing Co., Paoli, Penn- sylvania, 1980. Liverpool Museum of Ceramics is joint- Black Artists in the United States: An Anno- ly sponsored by the Ohio Historical So- tated Bibliography of Books, Articles, and Disser- ciety, the East Liverpool Historical Soci- ety, and the East Liverpool Carnegie Lenwood G. Davis and Janet L. Sims. The au- Public Library. Museum hours are 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Wednesday through Satur- day and 12 - 5 p.m. Sunday. books, general books, major articles, general articles (by far the largest segment), and dis- word. Greenwood Press, Westport, Connec- ticut, 1980. The Village: A History of Germantown, Ohio, The Ohio State University is offering 1804-1976. Bv Carl M. Becker. For nearlv 150 years, Germantown, a small rural settlement near Dayton, remained a remarkably cohe- sive and stable community, of Pennsylvania which might be of interest to Society James D. Strider has been appointed OHIO HISTORY WORKSHOP. Offered world wars, and the intervening depression in conjunction with the Ohio Historical to head the new Local and Regional His- had on village life, finding that after World tory Planning efforts at the Ohio Histor- War Il an influx of younger people from ical Society. Mr.
Strider, presently Direc- that have made a new village given to divi teachers, but others are encouraged to attend. Classes will be held daily from 9 fine selection of historic Germantown photo- a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Historical Center in since January 1977, will develop pro- graphs is included. The Historical Society o Columbus from July 13 to July 28. The Germantown, 1981 workshop will be directed by Richard Hopkins, a professor in Ohio State's his- A graduate of Wabash College, where tory department. (5 credits) he was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa scholastic honorary society, Mr. Strider holds a Master's degree in history from LOCAL HISTORY. Also taught by Pro- ware, he was awarded the Hagley Fel- lowship for the study of history and the lumbus from August 10 to August 28, 9 administration of historical agencies. He a.m. daily.
(3 credits) is Regional Chairman of the Ohio Asso- For more information, or to register Museums and Vice President of the for any of these classes, please call the Ohio Canal Society. He will assume re- sponsibilities with the Ohio Historical Ohio State, (614) 422-8860. members. Announced known. Museum Features Special Exhibit library. Staff Appointment Continuing Education Department at Summer History Courses grams focusing on local and regional At OHS Library Liverpool citizens and later concentrat- DISCOVERING NEIGHBORHOODS/ IN BRIEF which he eventually became best Echoes July 1981 century artist David Gilmour Blythe history throughout the state. printed guide describing the material Osu Offers two courses this summer through the The Blythe exhibition at the East tor of the Summit County Historical be held at Osu's main campus in Co- Society in mid-June.
Primarily a compilation of family sketches, over the early years of his painting ca- fessor Hopkins, this class will born in eastern Ohio in 1815, will be Society in Akron where he has been Society, this workshop is di- States, were announced in March by Dr. Hayes Presidential Center in Fremont. prominent East ed on scenes of everyday life. These thors provide a usetul starting point for any- German extraction, gaining its livelihood the University of Delaware. At Dela- Formative Years."The selected paint- that twentieth-century technology,two rected mainly toward social studies ciation of Historical Societies and The project began two years ago. one engaged in the study of black artists and An Encampment of the Brigade of the The Center of Science and Industry in from Home Towner Printing, Quaker City, Ohio 43773, (614) 679-2796, for 18 and 19 at Hale Farm and Village.
Brit- Summer Science Show '81 throughout $2.50 (add 35 cents for postage and han- ish and American camps will be set up the summer months. The featured dem- reflecting the life of the Revolutionary War soldier. Eighteenth-century crafts the role of science in man's understand will be demonstrated and a battle will be ing of the world. Exhibits on anamor- The first new history in several years staged daily. The grounds will open at 9 phic art from the eighteenth and nine- concerning Putnam County pioneers is a.m. for this event. For details, call (216) being offered by its author, Marguerite 861-4573 or (216) 666-3711. and "Art by Computer" will also be on Calvin. Based on a series of articles display. Workshops and films have been which appeared in the Putnam County scheduled until the end of August.
For Sentinel during the bicentennial, People Shoot will be held July 25 and 26 at Unu- more information, contact Pamela A sual Junction. All those interested in primitive weapons are invited to attend bus, 43215, (614) 228-6362. rewritten by the author. The book is il- Prizes will be awarded for marksman- lustrated with woodcuts, and it is avail- able from the author at 720 East Second begin at 9a.m. and continue until 5 p.m. Land: Legends and History of Place St., Ottawa, Ohio 45875 for $18.95 (plus Shops, food, and campgrounds will be Naming in Guernsey, Belmont, Noble $1.75 postage and handling). available. Unusual Junction is located and Monroe Counties, Ohio, by F. A on Route 36, eight miles west of I-77 and Morgan, is now available. The new ver- more information call (614) 545-6007 or (614) 545-9061. sources, and an index. It is available AROUND THE STATE tax).
Columbus will be involved in Super American Revolution will be held July sion is thirty-nine pages long and con- ten miles east of Roscoe Village. For A new printing of Names For New dling; Ohio residents add Ohio sales teenth centuries, a working beehive, Shipp, COSI, 280 East Broad St., Colum- The Third Annual Black Powder and Places, Putnam County, Ohio, Of The Dispatch Staff ter, what you had to do." Asked which, of all the big bands arms of the dancers... People filled he'd heard, was his favorite, he overhead and a hum of excitement the place for so many years, especial- ly when they had regular radio broad- while renovation and refurbishing Interviewed, The place looks 100 per- down.
It even looks a lot better from going to be done, and specifically there for many years returned tore- of the past, "And now, from the beau- to get the dance floor cleaned and waxed properly, but that and many .shake a mean leg and hip, despite bus, Ohio, we bring you - pleted), but mostly to hear the Chuck other items were in the works. At this writing, Peppe said a target date was ployee, said, "Ive actually been com- It will probably be much later. But we James, Charlie Barnett, Benny Good- Young (Selby's widow) and Marilyn in 1927. Then Betty and I started at- man, the Dorseys - dozens of big * "In those early days, they had two Sara Allen, Mayme Lawler and - and the Peppes would like to have Norma Thacker, Interviewed on the way in, concurred that The place of numerous dances scheduled in the -thing but soft drinks.
We'd come back looks so much better than it did, even coming monthsi and it was highly suc- -if they're not quite finished. We'll keep cessful, if attendance and enthusiasm Mick Sullivan said "I wouldn't have per to sit on the grass outside, during missed this 'for the world. I'm retired It was not, however, the grand now, but I was bartender here for 27 opening night, according to manager "We have a lot of souvenirs," Bet- people, and some good times and bad ty added. "Some of the old tickets we have show a charge of 75 cents a the grand opening three times," Peppe "But our purpose in opening to- The Persingers dipped deeply into smiled mischieviously, "You're darned Then, If It had been raining, we'd as more than 800 people turned out on, children, let's dance." 8902385 Cab known. Entertainment dances." Ballroom's Revival Brings Excitement during the week.
beautifully coiffed silver hair and their long tenure. names. It has just taken much longer All three are among the long-term Selby orchestra once again. casts from here. That was exciting hours of dancing for thousands of fans reopens this summer (More photos stairs and in the bar and lounge areas. Former Valley Dale bartender tion high above the dance floor and enclosed booths overlooking all the ac- According to some of the regulars After many months of darkness mentioned that they had not had time Calloway and his orchestra! Daye provided everything from ball There wasn't any air conditioning new fire-retardant carpeting on the Spook Beckman emceed the first ably late summer. in the building to get our drinks and PEPPE SAID much more was of Columbus dance floors was lighted up again Friday night.
intermission.' ments are being met." one could almost hear a whisper out pervaded the room. times. floor before dancing could begin terbug tonight? she brushed back her Mike Peppe. CINEMA ONE By Sara Carroll tiful Valley Dale Ballroom in Colum- on coming back as long as they have Fred and Betty Persinger who still side every once in a while to cool off. room ballads to Bourbon Street blues. the outside." to hear the Chuck Selby band and night is to keep the name before the it that way again. joice in the new decor (not yet com- count for anything. couple on Saturday night and 50 cents years and I have seen a lot of famous bands have provided hundreds of playing. Kay Kayser used to stand at on Page C-7). was a really good band and he was MORE THAN 800 devotees crowd- seemed to mind. They'd just run out- were under way, the grand old dame again.
It was fun, always fun, no mat- tending together in 1932." As Kay Keyser would say, "Come TWO OF THE habituees were The people who had been flocking right, I'm gonna jitterbug!" We actually have had'to postpone dens" outside. They didn't sell any- Columbus Dispatch) P MON., MAY 4,1981 promptly replied, "Chuck Selby's. It Cent better than when they closed it - Persinger, a retired Borden em- in June, but "If I be realistic about it, Calloway. Duke Ellington, Harr are going to have real bash then, prob bands. There was the "Moonlight Gar- attendeés ..."Oh, 30 years I've been dancing here, I guess." When Mrs. Al- then, Súllivan continued, "but nobody Lected throughout the Valley Dale Ballroom as the big silver ball rotated public. When we really get going, we bished ballroom will be like when it Bernie...
"he always dressed entirely in white and always strolled through PEPPE SHOWED us those glass- Some of those requirements in- CINEMA TWO ed the dance floor as vocalists Ann sometimes have to squeegee off the nostalgia as they fondly recalled Ben plan regular dances and big band THE VALLEY DALE dance floor len was asked, "Are you going to jit- tem, several additional exit doors, one of the nicest men I've ever clude Installation of a sprinkler sys the edge of the stage and let himself they'd also hand us a piece of newspa- catch a preview of what the refur- Fri., Feb. 8, 1980 - Columbus Citizen-Journal 9 Virtually every great band in the Jimmy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Duke ning that l nitpicking is nitpicking, and the fact a bout. Ellington, Artie Shaw, Guy Lombar- oo concern- do, Kay Kyser, Ozzie Nelson with another.
In fact, there was a time, in of City Hall the heyday of the big bands, when - more for Herman, Glen Gray and his Casa TWO network radio shows, by CBS Loma, Count Basie, Benny Good man, Louis Armstrong You name em. They played Valley Dale More often than not, their Valley 1g. however ture, there are eight huge double door fire exits. As I understand it, n structure room among the most famous in the the need for a sprinkler system - in.* in imminent This, Mr. Mayor, is the reai thing public safety. On the other hand, there seems lumbus has condemned the building to me to be some sort of vendetta ons and apparently wants it closed under any circumstances. The city While the Peppe family is every doesn't seem to want to cooperate at- and NBC. were broadcast simulta- neously coast to coast from Valley ley Dale. a closed their minds accordingly This would be a big mistake, Mr.
Boes back to the early 1800s, when a promise is going to be necessary if Mayor. A big mistake. Believe me tavern and inn stood on the site now le last of the when I say that fervent fansof occupied by Valley Dale. A toll road Valley Dale still number way up in: the crux of the issue. Moreover, would bring their produce into landmark as long as it remains the Columbus, to either Central or East Valley Dale. day to complete the round trip; they compromise be made where public safety is concerned, mind you But future generations The tavern became a ballroom in Year's Eve of 1922 and was rebuilt as the present structure in 1924. building in 1932 (48 years ago), and finally purchased it in 1938. It was remodeled in 1941, supposedly as an sey. (Daley managed Valley Dale manage it.
Brother Jim went to New York, where, as head of the band department of CBS, he had an inside booking here of every name band of vote. Pataky country. Inside: my saying An open letter to Mayor Tom Moody othing than ng elegy for historic ballroom History of the location actually bringing joy Ron resting their horses and continuing homeward the following morning. theyve already begun by tearing No one is suggesting that any structures presently doing business running from Sunbury to Columbus coast, making the Columbus ball- ine historie esting none- historic old ballroom is saved for You want to talk about history? cost. You simply cannot turn a 1924 Market. Returning too late in the all in assisting the owners towards resence for the day.
They all came:Tommy and In this particular wooden strue But let's also make certain the be that this is a wooden structure bit as concerned about the safety of patrons will always be safe at any Let's make certain Valley Dale made by the city in the interest of what sane person would want to? famed Meadowbrook in New Jer- Dale stints were broadcast coast to would stop overnight at the tavern, Valley Dale has fallen on rough The Valley Dale is only a historic the Peppes agree completely with that year). track on what would later be the in the city. Jim and Lou Peppe leased the e music he pros and its patrons as the city ever will be, oms still in the Dale is to remain open. rever to the rip is going he has been home here. nt Editor that the city's biggest gripe seems to appeared there at one time or vocalist Harriet Hilliard, Woody seems just that. (I'd be happy to.
fact, with most of the demands: of this city the part of the city to close the place compliance. It's as if city officials. dictated. by the city - some com- building into a 1980 building That's crossed the back of the site where candid and pragmatic, most of them St. Mary of the Springs now stands. 1918, burned to the ground New ENTER - The front entrance from the parking lot. Dining out Flick picks . Page 10 1918and Farmers from out that way you know other build- want the place closed and have the thousands.And being both Lou Peppe stayed on hereto e tnan you By RON PATAKY Virtually ever appeared there another. In fact, t ing the to be or not to be of City Hall Even more interesting, however, cons of the ugly downtown structure ing, this one of genuine historic will ever know, stands in imminent danger of being lost forever to the so, sir. I don't think you know and NBC.
were I'm speaking of Valley Dale, a Boes back to the tavern and inn st able to determine, is the last of the running from Su existence St. Mary of the S Columbus, to eitl day to complete would stop overr The tavern be 1918, burned to Year's Eve of 19 remodeled in 194 exact replica sey. (Daley mar York, where, as department of CE booking here of e famed Meadowb theless. Jim and Lou Market Returni resting their hor Valley Dale finally purchase City Council is preparing elegy Perhaps you should crossed the back great American ballrooms still in think you should know about. Dale. that year) were being argued, another build TWO network ra homeward the fo Farmers fro The recent hullabaloo concern- building in 1932 Dear Mayor Moody: more than half a century.
anything else but interesting none- And if you'll pardon my saying manage it Brothe interest to more people than you thousands of people of this city track on what anything about it. occupied by Vall would bring th is the fact that while the pros and the heyday of th History of th Meanwhile,back home here, as the present str some things are happening that I ballroom that has been bringing joy which, as far as anyone has been VALLEY DALE - Boarded up forever? well.ee Annex was interesting - more for Hope your Paris trip is going DARK PAST its much ado about nothing than neously coast to toarea couples since 1918 and who've enjoyed its presence for history of Ame They all ca rambling structure on Sunbury Road. "Childhood," in this tions of the radio age, played an entire summer. The fabu- case, means from 15 to 20-some. For this was, indeed, a lously durable Guy Lombardo played there.
Tommy Dor-_ place of youthful dreams, of great music, of dancing and "King," Benny Goodman, attracted even larger crowds. and drew crowds as large as 3000. more some sort of tavern has stood there to break the long In the late '30s some of the greatest music was broad-. cast nationally from Frank Daley's "Meadowbrook, in Mr. Melencon first built a ballroom there, in the '10s of this century. It burned to the ground, but he rebuilt. In the '20s it was leased by a Columbus group, Mid-States Daley opened in October, 1941. CBS had permanent studios set up on the premises, and the whole nation soon some hours of delightful dancing and an even more pleas- Columbus Vignettes name bands. Practically all of them played the Dale. Kay den became a mecca for the younger set.An evening at romancing. This was Valley Dale. Amusement Company.
The dance floor and outdoor gar- Keyser, who later became one of the greatest radio sensa- Valley Dale sorted complications set in and Daley gave up in June, then came December 7.and Pearl Harbor.For a time the 1942.In recentyears it has operated asa ballroom and meeting hall managed by bandsman Chuck Selby. journey. down the pike from Sunbury to Columbus.A he remodeled it into a plush supper club. Lou Peppe tells me that the site has always been occu- the Dale combined a pleasant auto ride into the country, sey came, and thousands crowded in to hear him. The Hal Kemp and Sammy Kaye and all the others came went to New York in 1935,but Lou became active man- hear that Daley had leased the Dale.With a lavish hand ant ride home-sometimes by moonlight. By BILL ARTER ager and bought it in 1938.lt was the heyday of the big In 1933 the Peppe family took over the Dale.
Jim It was like having New York moved into Columbus.. Cedar Grove, New Jersey So it was pretty exciting to pied by a place of entertainment.For a hundred years or knew Valley Dale. Enormous crowds stormed the place. Dale continued under Daley.But gas rationing and as- O SPOT was so dear to our childhood"as this COLUMBUS, OHIO Will Osborne Earl "Fatha" Hines Cab Calloway Chales "Buddy" Rogers Eonny Dunham Bobby Sherwood and, of course, Columbus' own Earl Hood Orchestra, the Dale's house band * Those bands listed are known to have played Valley Dale, many of them more in black and white. Bob Crosby Kay Kyser Henry Busse Tommy Dorsey Authenticated Russ Morgan Vincent Lopez Benny Goodman Isham Jones Jack Teagarden Ink Spots for many years.
Ben Birnie Sammy Kaye Jan Garber Les Brown Anson Weeks Bunny Berigan Tommy Tucker Bob Chester Ben Pollack Hal Kemp Charlie Spivak Glen Gray Horace Heidt Bobby Byrne Glenn Miller Dick Stabile Fats Waller Jimmie Lunceford Frankie Masters Ted Fio Rito Claude Hopkins Jan Savitt Fletcher Henderson Charlie Barnet Al Donahue Will Bradley Rudy Valee Artie Shaw Ina Ray Hutton Red Norvo Ted Weems Shep Fields Duke Ellington than once.Others will be added when their appearances can be authenticated Paul whiteman George 01sen Appearing at (Compiled from newspaper advertisements by Phil Sheridan)
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