Big Pavilion final years

Archive

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Saugatuck Douglas Historical Society

Name/Title

Big Pavilion final years

Entry/Object ID

2021.87.53

Scope and Content

The Local Observer newspaper Remembering When - Our History article titled "The Big Pavilion – Last Dance" LO65 May 3, 2006. By Jack Sheridan, Jim Schmiechen and Rob Carey. Digital files use to create this article and associated resources at 2021.72.02

Context

THE BIG PAVILION – LAST DANCE August 1945 – the world had changed. The war and the great depression were over. The “greatest generation” was ready to enjoy hard won peace and the heady prosperity of the ‘50s. Writing in the SDHS publication “OFF THE RECORD a pictorial history of Saugatuck in the ‘40s and ’50”, James Schmiechen had it so right when he wrote: “[After the war]…unknown at the time, the practice of leisure would never be the same. The next season, styles and freedoms had somehow changed. When the young men returned, the over 21 group preferred the light-heartedness and the combo [music] of ‘The Dock’ [bar] to the ‘Cokes’ and stately beat of the ballroom above. From then on, the ballroom was like a Victorian belle who, though she had lost her popularity, kept trying to keep up her appearances.” The movies, roller skating, wrestling, the annual Arts Ball, the hospital fund raiser - fifteen years slipped by and she was still there -still huge, still red - the 1960 season weeks away. The massive dance hall with flags, pennants, steeples on the waterfront. But the thrills, the music, first love on the ballroom floor, the big dances were of another time, another place, priceless glamour gone, never to return. The final Big Pavilion event would last but a few hours – stay tuned. By Jack Sheridan

Collection

Remembering When

Cataloged By

Winthers, Sally

Acquisition

Accession

2021.87

Source or Donor

Sheridan, John "Jack" O. 1938-

Acquisition Method

Donation

Location

* Untyped Location

Digital data in CatalogIt

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Big Pavilion 1909-1960

Person or Organization

Sheridan, John "Jack" O. 1938-, Schmiechen, James A., Saugatuck Amusement Company [operated the Big Pavilion], Lane, Kit 1939-2024, Dock Cocktail Lounge, The, Sans Souci (boat)

Related Publications

Publication

Local Observer

Create Date

December 11, 2021

Update Date

November 18, 2023