Name/Title
Prison City SquaresScope and Content
Historical information on Prison City Squares for 1976 Bicentennial Celebration in Waupun, WI.
*Facts are handwritten and was scanned with mistakes, if any, left uncorrected.
The History of the Prison City Squares
Information typed by Mrs. Robert Kopf, Route 1, Oakfield, Wis. 53065, Phone: 324-5389.
Square dancing started in Waupun in the early 1940's. Miss Clara Lindsey, Waupun's City Librarian, had seen Square dancing while she was in the eastern states, and came to Waupun and started a group here. A club was formed and named "Waupun Old Time Dance Club". Dances were held in the City Hall.
Square Dancing was done along with Waltz Quadrilles, Circle Two Steps, Waltzes, Two Steps, and other dances. Floor length dresses with full skirts were worn by the ladies and the men wore western shirts.
At that time the club hired an orchestra for the evening, and square dance calling was done by anyone who wanted to call.
In the early 1950's the hiring of the orchestra was eliminated, because of costs, and dancing was done to records. The club carried on this way until 1956, when lack of attendance and financial difficulties caused the club to disband.
In the fall of 1960 the Waupun Recreation Department began a recreation program at the City Hall which included games, roller skating, and dancing. The director contacted one of the
former square dancers, who had previously done square dance calling, and asked for help to get square dancing into the program. A beginners class was started. Several couples of the "Waupun Old Time Dance Club" came to help and new couples were taught the fun of square dancing. Thus, Square Dancing was underway in Waupun again.
A new club was formed, officers elected, and the name "Prison City Squares" was given. Beginners lessons were given each year, and many Waupun and area couples were introduced to the fun of square dancing. The club is now a member of the Square Dance Association of Wisconsin, Southeast Area.
Guest callers from all parts of Wisconsin are hired to come and call for the club dances which are held at the City Hall in Waupun, on the first and third Saturdays of the month.
The Prison City Squares have been hosts to several bus loads of dancers from southern Wisconsin and Illinois. Badges can be earned by dancers for traveling 100 or more miles to a dance. Also, Waupun is famous for the Jail-Bird Badge. Each year the club has a Jail-Bird Dance. Couples earn their Jail-Bird Badge by dancing in the cell of the City Jail.
Our present membership cf 26 couples are from Waupun, Brandon, Oakfield, Mayville, Horicon, Burnett, Fond du Lac, Van Dyne, Pickett, St.Cloud, and Cambria.
The Bi-Centennial project of square dancers throughout the nation is to get Square Dancing proclaimed as the "National Dance", because it originated among the early settlers in America.Acquisition
Accession
2016.0075Source or Donor
Waupun Area Chamber of CommerceAcquisition Method
Donation